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MESSAGES OF

ELPIDIO

1948-1953

BOOK 6 | VOLUMES

Administrative Orders

President Elpidio Quirino, Sixth President of the Philippines
and Second President of the Third Republic.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

1948-1953

BOOK 6 | VOLUME 5

Administrative Orders

Messages of the President Book 6: Elpidio Quirino
Volume 5

Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office

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ISBN 978-621-8032-10-1

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Published exclusively by

The Presidential Communications Development
and Strategic Planning Office
Office of the President of the Philippines
3/F New Executive Building,

Malacanan Palace, San Miguel, Manila
Tel.: 736-0719, 736-0718
Fax no.: 736-6167
Website: http://www.pcdspo.gov.ph

Book design by the Presidential Communications
Development and Strategic Planning Office

Published in the Philippines.

The National Library of the Philippines CIP Data
Recommended entry:

Philippines. President (Quirino: 1948-1953)

Messages of the President: Elpidio Quirino, 1948-1953, Book 6,
Volume 5, Administrative Orders / Presidential Communications
Development and Strategic Planning Office. - Manila: Presidential
Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office, 2016.
pages; cm

ISBN 978-621-8032-10-1

Contents: vol. 1. Official Week and Month in Review - vol. 2.
Appointments and Designations - vol. 3. Historical Documents and
Papers - vol. 4. Executive Orders - vol. 5. Administrative Orders - vol. 6.
Proclamations - vol. 7. Other Issuances - vol. 8. Cabinet Minutes.

1. Quirino, Elpidio, President - Philippines - 1948-1953.

2. Presidents - Messages - Philippines. 3. Philippines - Politics and
government - 1948-1953. I. Title.

959.9052092

DS686.6.Q5 2016

P620160187

The Messages of the President Book 6: Elpidio Quirino Volume 5 was compiled and published
by the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office
in May 2016 in Manila, Philippines.

THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

BENIGNO S. AQUINO III

President of the Philippines

PAQUITO N. OCHOA ,JR.

Executive Secretary

JOSE RENE D. ALMENDRAS

Cabinet Secretary

MARIANO DIMAANDAL

Director IV, Malacanang Records Office

PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS
DEVELOPMENT AND STRATEGIC PLANNING OFFICE

MANUEL L. QUEZON III

Undersecretary of Presidential Communications
Development and Strategic Planning

JAN MIKAEL dL. CO

Assistant Secretary

Senior Presidential Speechwriter and Head of Correspondence Office

JUAN POCHOLO MARTIN B. GOITIA

Assistant Secretary
Managing Editor, Official Gazette

GINO ALPHONSUS A. BAYOT

Director V

Head, Research Division

EDGAR RYAN S. FAUSTINO

Head, Presidential Museum and Library

JONATHAN F. CUEVAS

MA. ROMMIN M. DIAZ

Director III

Head Executive Assistant

Director IV
Technical Division

YOLANDO B. JAMENDANG JR.

TERESITA L. MENDIOLA

Chief Administrative Officer

Director II

Head, Message Crafting Division

KATHERINE AIRA M. ESPINO

MARK PHILIPPE P. LEGASPI

KRISTINA D. JAVIER

Media Monitoring

Institutional Memory
Official Gazette

Heritage

SASHA B. MARTINEZ

Social Media

RAYMOND ANDREW MAYMAY

Associate Editor
Official Gazette

ATTY. SARAH Q. SISON

Legal

CHRISTIAN F. SOQUENO

Citizen Engagement
Official Gazette

Messages of the President Book 6: Elpidio Quirino
Volume 5

PUBLICATIONS DIVISION

Presidential Communications Development
and Strategic Planning Office

MANUEL L. QUEZON III

Editor in Chief

JUAN POCHOLO MARTIN B. GOITIA

Managing Editor

JONATHAN F. CUEVAS

Technical Director

KATHERINE AIRA M. ESPINO

Project Manager 2014-2016

MARY CLAIRE LORRAINE CAPUL

Project Manager 2016

MARK PHILIPPE P. LEGASPI

Head, Heritage Division

CAMILLE ROSE B. DUFOURT

GAMIL BANCOLITA
SCHURLYNS BIANG
MARY CLAIRE LORRAINE CAPUL
JERICO CATALLA
ANGELA KAYE CRESCINI
KRIS RICHARD GERONIMO
JUSTIN HAROLD HINGCO
PAOLA MELGAZO
ALFREDO NAVARRO III
Institutional Memory

KRIZIA ALMENARIO
NATHAN ANDRADA
JAMILLE DOMINGO
MA. KATRINA FERNANDO
GRACE GUIANG
MARIA ANNA GUMAPAC
MARIA THERESA LAMPA
JOHN RIMHER MANUBAY
FRANCES MARA MENDOZA
KARLO OROPESA
PATRICIA CARLA RAYMUNDO
Institutional Memory 2012-2015

Project Coordinator

CHEREY ANN MAE BIGAY
COLINE ESTHER CARDENO
ROBERTO DANIEL DEVELA
FRANCIS KRISTOFFER PASSION

JOSELITO ARCINAS

LARISSA ANGELA SALAZAR
SARAH JESSICA WONG

Editors

MA. KRISTINA ABELLA
MA. ROMMIN DIAZ
LANCIE MITZI ONG
ALEXANDRIA SUPLIDO
ARMIL ORDIALES
JESSIE CRUZ

MICHAEL LOUIS BAUTISTA

JOI MARIE ANGELICA
INDIAS

Researchers

Graphic Designer

Support Staff

OFFICIAL GAZETTE

QUIRINO | Volume 5

INTRODUCTION

As the President’s chief message-crafting body, the Presidential Communications Development
and Strategic Planning Office (PCDSPO), is mandated to provide strategic communication leadership
and support to the Executive Branch, its composite agencies, and instrumentalities of government.

The PCDSPO is also mandated to act as custodian of the institutional memory of the Office of
the President. One of our projects is the continuation of the series of books called the Messages of the
President, started in 1936 by Jorge B. Vargas, Executive Secretary to President Manuel L. Quezon.
The series was a wide collection of executive issuances, speeches, messages, and other official papers
of the President. The volumes were intended to serve as the definitive compilation of presidential
documents. The series was continued until the Quirino administration, although the series for the
Presidential administrations of Presidents Quezon, Roxas, and Quirino were never completed.

In 2010, President Benigno S. Aquino III ordered the revival of the series and the constitution of a
complete set, covering all 15 presidential administrations. With pride, we continue what Vargas began.

We would like to extend our gratitude to our partners for without whose gracious cooperation,
this project would have not been possible.

A note on organization: Each presidential administration’s messages are in book form, compiled
and subdivided into volumes. The books are as follows:

Book 1: Emilio Aguinaldo
Book 2: Jose P. Laurel
Book 3: Manuel L. Quezon
Book 4: Sergio Osmena
Book 5: Manuel Roxas
Book 6: Elpidio Quirino
Book 7: Ramon Magsaysay
Book 8: Carlos P. Garcia
Book 9: Diosdado Macapagal
Book 10: Ferdinand E. Marcos
Book 11: Corazon C. Aquino
Book 12: Fidel V. Ramos
Book 13: Joseph Ejercito Estrada
Book 14: Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
Book 15: Benigno S. Aquino III

Each book is subdivided into the following volumes:

Volume 1: Official Week/Month in Review
Volume 2: Appointments and Designations
Volume 3: Historical Papers and Documents
Volume 4: Executive Orders
Volume 5: Administrative Orders
Volume 6: Proclamations

MESSAGES OF THE PRESIDENT

QUIRINO | Volume 5

Volume 7: Other issuances
Volume 8: Cabinet minutes

We hope that this collection will be a useful and vital reference for generations to come.

OFFICIAL GAZETTE

QUIRINO | Volume 5

PREFACE

On July 30, 2010, President Benigno S. Aquino III issued Executive Order No. 4, which effectively
renamed what was previously called the Malacanang Museum into the Presidential Museum and
Library (PML) and placed it under the supervision and control of the Presidential Communications
Development and Strategic Planning Office (PCDSPO). The PML is responsible for preserving,
managing, and promoting the history and heritage of the Philippine presidency. It is the principal
historical and artistic repository in support of the institution of the presidency, for the benefit of
the Republic and the Lilipino people. In partnership with the PCDSPO, which has pioneered the
publication of the Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines as a web archive and information
website, the PML has taken this mandate and placed it on the cutting edge of the information age.

Much has been done over the past years, under the administration of President Aquino III, to
digitize executive issuances, speeches, letters, and other presidential papers; and publish them online.
The project is not limited to a single administration, nor does it discriminate. This collection, published
as databases, as well as print and e-publications, includes documents from the presidency of Emilio
Aguinaldo to the current Aquino administration. This represents the government’s allegiance to
transparency, continuity, and the fostering of an informed citizenry, as well as an effort, in earnest, to
preserve the institutional memory of the Presidency. All this was done not just for the posterity, but for
the current generation and the ongoing task of nation building.

The PML are proud partners of the Official Gazette and PCDSPO team, to whom we made the
collections available. We sincerely hope that this series will serve as a vital reference to educators,
students, journalists, lawyers, historians, and the public at large.

OFFICIAL GAZETTE

QUIRINO | Volume 5

FOREWORD

This is the fifth volume of President Elpidio Quirino’s official papers, which constitutes the
sixth book of the Messages of the President series. The series was started in 1936 by Executive
Secretary Jorge B. Vargas, during the first year in office of Manuel L. Quezon, the first President of
the Commonwealth of the Philippines. This volume collects President Quirino’s Administrative Orders,
which relate to particular aspects of governmental operations in pursuance of the President’s duties as
administrative head of the Executive Department.

OFFICIAL GAZETTE

QUIRINO | Volume 5

BOOK 6

PRESIDENT ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President Elpidio Quirino was the Second President of the Third Republic of the Philippines. He
succeeded to the presidency unexpectedly when Manuel Roxas died in the third year of his four-year
term; he assumed office on April 17, 1948, two days after the death of Manuel Roxas. He continued
his presidency for a full term after he won the presidential elections on November 8, 1949 on his own.
Elpidio Quirino was President until the end of his term on December 30, 1953.

The Executive Issuances of President Elpidio Quirino began with Administrative Order No. 51
and Proclamation No. 61, signed on April 17, 1948; he continued the numbering of his predecessor
Manuel Roxas and ended with Executive Order Nos. 663 and 664 and Administrative Order Nos. 261
to 266 which were all signed on March 17, 1957.

President Elpidio Quirino’s documents were gathered from its official sources such as the Official
Gazette of the Philippines; the Malacanang Records Office’s Book of Executive Issuances; Messages of
the President Volume 8; The Quirino Way: Collection of Speeches and Addresses of Elpidio Quirino;
and The New Philippine Ideology.

The American Psychological Association (APA) style was used for the citation. The titles that have
been provided by the researchers are enclosed in square brackets, considering that the exact wordings
and its order were not verbatim from the document being described. Book titles are italicized while
the speech titles are not. If in any case that the book title is the same as the title of the speech, it is
transcribed in italics because it is the book title.

CONTENTS

Introduction

Preface
Foreword
Research Notes
Administrative Orders

• Administrative

Order Nos. 51-52

Order Nos. 53 - 54

Order Nos. 55 - 56

Order Nos. 57 - 58

Order Nos. 59-60

Order Nos. 61 - 62

Order Nos. 63 - 64

Order Nos. 65 - 66

Order Nos. 67 - 68

Order Nos. 69 - 70

Order Nos. 71 - 72

Order Nos. 73 - 74

Order Nos. 75 - 76

Order Nos. 77 - 78

Order Nos. 79 - 80

Order Nos. 81-82

Order Nos. 83 - 84

Order Nos. 85 - 86

Order Nos. 87 - 88

Order Nos. 89 - 90

Order Nos. 91 - 92

Order Nos. 93 - 94

Order Nos. 95 - 96

Order Nos. 97 - 98

Order Nos. 99 - 100

101

Order Nos. 101 - 102

103

Order Nos. 103 - 104

107

Order Nos. 105 - 106

110

Order Nos. 107 - 108

113

Order Nos. 109 - 110

117

Order Nos. 111-112

120

Order Nos. 113-114

124

Order Nos. 115-116

126

Order Nos. 117-118

130

Order Nos. 119 - 120

133

Order Nos. 121 - 122

136

• Administrative Order Nos. 123 - 124 140

• Administrative Order Nos. 125 - 126 144

• Administrative Order Nos. 127 - 128 146

• Administrative Order Nos. 129 - 130 148

• Administrative Order Nos. 131 - 132 150

• Administrative Order Nos. 133 - 134 152

• Administrative Order Nos. 135 - 136 156

• Administrative Order Nos. 137 - 138 159

• Administrative Order Nos. 139 - 140 161

• Administrative Order Nos. 141 - 142 165

• Administrative Order Nos. 143 - 144 169

• Administrative Order Nos. 145 - 146 1 71

• Administrative Order Nos. 147 - 148 1 74

• Administrative Order Nos. 149 - 150 1 77

• Administrative Order Nos. 151 - 152 181

• Administrative Order Nos. 153 - 154 185

• Administrative Order Nos. 155-156 188

• Administrative Order Nos. 157-158 192

• Administrative Order Nos. 159 - 160 195

• Administrative Order Nos. 161 - 162 199

• Administrative Order Nos. 163 - 164 201

• Administrative Order Nos. 165 - 166 205

• Administrative Order Nos. 167 - 168 209

• Administrative Order Nos. 169 - 170 214

• Administrative Order Nos. 171-172 218

• Administrative Order Nos. 173 - 174 222

• Administrative Order Nos. 175 - 176 227

• Administrative Order Nos. 177- 178 231

• Administrative Order Nos. 179 - 180 235

• Administrative Order Nos. 181 - 182 239

• Administrative Order Nos. 183 - 184 243

• Administrative Order Nos. 185 - 186 246

• Administrative Order Nos. 187- 188 249

• Administrative Order Nos. 189 - 190 253

• Administrative Order Nos. 191 - 192 257

• Administrative Order Nos. 193 - 194 261

• Administrative Order Nos. 195 - 196 263

• Administrative Order Nos. 197 - 198 267

• Administrative Order Nos. 199 - 200 271

• Administrative Order Nos. 201 - 202 274

• Administrative Order Nos.203-204 278

• Administrative Order Nos. 205 - 206 282

• Administrative Order Nos. 207 - 208 286

• Administrative Order Nos. 209 - 210 289

• Administrative Order Nos. 211 - 212 293

• Administrative Order Nos. 213 - 214 299

• Administrative Order Nos. 215-216 303

• Administrative Order Nos. 217-218 306

• Administrative Order Nos. 219 - 220 310

• Administrative Order Nos. 221 - 222 313

• Administrative Order Nos. 223 - 224 317

• Administrative Order Nos. 225 - 226 321

• Administrative Order Nos. 227 - 228 325

• Administrative Order Nos. 229 - 230 330

• Administrative Order Nos. 231 - 232 333

• Administrative Order Nos. 233 - 234 335

• Administrative Order Nos. 235 - 236 339

• Administrative Order Nos. 237 - 238 343

• Administrative Order Nos. 239 - 240 347

• Administrative Order Nos. 241 - 242 351

• Administrative Order Nos. 243 - 244 353

• Administrative Order Nos. 245 - 246 357

• Administrative Order Nos. 247 - 248 360

• Administrative Order Nos. 249 - 250 364

• Administrative Order Nos. 251 - 252 368

• Administrative Order Nos. 253 - 254 372

• Administrative Order Nos. 255 -256 374

• Administrative Order Nos. 257 - 258 378

• Administrative Order Nos. 259 - 260 382

• Administrative Order Nos. 261 - 262 385

• Administrative Order Nos. 263 - 264 390

• Administrative Order Nos. 265 - 266 395

President Elpidio Quirino on the occasion of Labor Day, May 1, 1949
at the Sunken Gardens in Quezon City.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

1948-1953

BOOK 6 | VOLUME 5

Administrative Orders

President Elpidio Quirino administered the oaths of office to newly-elected officers of the
Philippine Veterans Legion at Malacanan Palace’s Council of State Room, June 23, 1951.

OFFICIAL GAZETTE

QUIRINO| Volume 5

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDERS

An Administrative Order relates to particular aspects of governmental operations in pursuance of
the President’s duties as administrative head of the Executive Department. The Administrative Orders
of President Elpidio Quirino continued the late President Manuel Roxas’ numbering on April 17,
1948 with Administrative Order No. 51 and ended on December 29, 1953 with Administrative Order
No. 266.

MESSAGES OF THE PRESIDENT

QUIRINO | Volume 5

MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 51

CREATING A COMMITTEE TO TAKE CHARGE OF THE FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS AND
BURIAL OF THE LATE PRESIDENT MANUEL ROXAS.

Whereas, our beloved leader, His Excellency, Manuel Roxas, President of the Philippines, passed
away unexpectedly on the fifteenth day of April, nineteen hundred and forty-eight;

Whereas, his body now lies in state in Malacanan Palace in order to give opportunity to peoples
in all walks of life to view his mortal remains; and

Whereas, it is highly fitting and proper that adequate arrangements be made for the holding
of official necrological services and a state funeral for our departed leader, commensurate with the
love, affection and respect in which he is held by the Filipino people, and with the everlasting debt of
gratitude that they owe him;

Now, therefore, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested
in me by law, and upon the recommendation of the Council of State, do hereby create a Committee on
Funeral Arrangements and Burial, composed of the following:

Hon. Jose Avelino, Chairman
Hon. Eugenio Perez, Member
Hon. Ricardo Paras, Member
Hon. Jose C. Zulueta, Member
Hon. Jose Yulo, Member
Hon. Emilio Abello, Member
Hon. Eulogio Rodriguez, Member
Gen. Macario Peralta, Jr., Member
Mr. Aurelio Intertas, Member

OFFICIAL GAZETTE

QUIRINO| Volume 5

Done in the City of Manila, this 17th day of April, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
forty-eight, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the second.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

EMILIO ABELLO

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1948). Administrative Order No. 51: Creating a Committee to take charge of the
funeral arrangements and burial of the late President Manuel Roxas. Official Gazette of the Republic
of the Philippines, 44(4), 1129-1130.

MESSAGES OF THE PRESIDENT

QUIRINO | Volume 5

MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 52

DISMISSING MR. ANIANO RUSIANA FROM THE SERVICE AS JUSTICE OF THE PEACE OF
SANTA FE, BANTAYAN AND MADRIDEJOS, PROVINCE OF CEBU.

This is an administrative case against Mr. Aniano Rusiana, justice of the peace of Santa Fe,
Bantayan and Madridejos, Province of Cebu, who stands charged with (1) grave abuse of authority for
having ordered the tying of two brothers, Matias and Filomeno Escana, to a coconut tree when they
objected to the partition among their three sisters — Dolores, Julia and Atina — of a real property left by
their parents and (2) serious misconduct in connection with a criminal complaint for theft of coconuts
filed against Matias Escana by his sisters, Dolores and Julia.

With respect to the first charge, it appears that on December 18, 1946, the respondent, upon request
of the above-named sisters, went to barrio Maigad, Bantayan, accompanied by Policemen Macario Dawa
and Pedring Villena, to effect the partition of a parcel of land planted with coconuts among the three
sisters. When the land was being divided under respondent’s supervision, Filomeno and Matias Escana,
brothers of the three sisters, voiced their opposition, alleging that inasmuch as the land belonged to
their deceased parents, they (Matias and Filomeno) were also entitled to a share therein. Because of the
brothers’ protestations, the respondent immediately ordered the two policemen to tie them to a coconut
tree, which order was promptly carried out. Filomeno declared that he and his brother (Matias) were tied
from 1:00 to 3:00 o’clock in the afternoon of December 18, 1946, while Matias and one Julia Tumulak
stated that they (the two brothers) were tied from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The respondent admitted that the two brothers had been tied to a coconut tree upon his orders
but claimed that they were tied for about five to ten minutes only. Explaining his action, he stated that
when the partition was going on, the two brothers showed a belligerent attitude, although he admitted
that they were not armed; and that upon noticing that they were repentant shortly after they had been
tied, he ordered their release.

After a careful perusal of the evidence of record, I am convinced that the two brothers were tied
from two to four hours, instead of only about five to ten minutes. But even if they were tied from
five to ten minutes only, this fact would not mitigate respondent’s responsibility. The gravity of the
offense is not gauged by the length of time his victims had suffered. What is of moment is that, with
grave abuse of his official position and with the aid of two peace officers, respondent committed an
act which contravenes the constitutional guaranty against the deprivation of one’s liberty without due
process of law.

As regards the second charge, the record shows that on February 20, 1947, Dolores and Julia
Escana filed with the respondent a criminal complaint against their brother, Matias, for theft of
coconuts. Although respondent knew that the coconuts allegedly stolen were gathered from the land,
of which the accused rightfully claims to be one of the co-owners, he immediately gave due course to
the complaint and issued a warrant for the arrest of the accused. Arrested on February 23, 1947, the
accused filed a bond for his temporary release with the Municipal Mayor of Bantayan on February 28,
the respondent being then absent. On March 29, 1947, the respondent disapproved the bond and again

OFFICIAL GAZETTE

QUIRINO| Volume 5

ordered the arrest of the accused. In view of respondent’s absence from the municipality, the Mayor
for the second time accepted the bond of the accused, but when the respondent returned to office on
April 2, 1947, he again disapproved the bond and for the third time ordered the arrest of the accused.
However, the accused could not be arrested because he went to file his bond in the Court of First
Instance of the City of Cebu. Parenthetically, it may be stated that when the case was called for hearing
in the Court of First Instance, the Fiscal moved for dismissal for lack of evidence, which motion was
readily granted by the court.

Attempting to justify his actuations in the case, the respondent stated that he accepted the criminal
complaint against Matias Escana because he was of the opinion that there was probable cause; that he
issued the second warrant of arrest against the accused because the bail bond which, according to his
information, was accepted by the Mayor was not attached to the record; and that he issued the third
warrant of arrest because the bond filed with the Mayor under the second warrant was defective for
not containing a description of the property offered as bond.

Respondent’s conduct in readily accepting the complaint for theft filed against Matias Escana by
his two sisters and ordering his arrest no less than three times shows that he was bent on persecuting
the accused because he and his brother had expressed their opposition to the unjust partition by
respondent of the land left by their parents. The respondent undoubtedly knew, or should have known,
that Matias Escana, having a legitimate claim as co-owner over the property in question, may not be
held guilty of theft for gathering coconuts therefrom. Likewise, the mere fact that the first bail bond
was not attached to the record of the case was no justification for ordering the re-arrest of the accused,
inasmuch as respondent had information to the effect that the accused had filed one before the Mayor.
The defect in the second bail bond that it did not contain a description of the real property mentioned
therein could have been cured without the necessity of again placing the accused under custody.

The actuations of respondent recited above render him totally unfit to be a member of the
judiciary. Wherefore, he is hereby dismissed from the service as justice of the peace of Santa Fe,
Bantayan and Madridejos, Province of Cebu, effective on the date of his suspension.

Done in the City of Manila, this 21st day of April, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
forty-eight, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the second.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

EMILIO ABELLO

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1948). Administrative Order No. 52: Dismissing Mr. Aniano Rusiana from the service
as Justice of the Peace of Santa Fe, Bantayan and Madridejos, Province of Cebu. Official Gazette of the
Republic of the Philippines, 44(4), 1130-1132.

MESSAGES OF THE PRESIDENT

QUIRINO | Volume 5

MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 53

REMOVING MR. ESTEBAN T. BUMANGLAG FROM THE OFFICE OF JUSTICE OF THE PEACE
OF TALIPAO AND MAIMBUNG, PROVINCE OF SULU.

This is an administrative case against Mr. Esteban T. Bumanglag, justice of the peace of Talipao
and Maimbung, Province of Sulu, on the following charges:

(1) That contrary to standing regulations, the respondent does not reside within his jurisdiction
but in the municipality of Jolo;

(2) That in criminal case No. 90 of the Court of First Instance of Sulu against Amirul and
Amilasan, for rape, which was tried on March 12, 13 and 19, 1947, the respondent appeared as
counsel de parte for the accused; and that despite his absence from his office as justice of the peace on
these dates, he collected his salary corresponding thereto by making it appear in his time record that he
actually rendered service; and

(3) That in one instance, the respondent demanded and collected the sum of P60 from a person
who had a case brought in his court.

Although the first charge has been satisfactorily established, in that respondent violated existing
regulations, there is, however, no evidence that he neglected his official duties as a result thereof. Drastic
disciplinary action for such violation is, therefore, not warranted.

With respect to the second charge, the record shows that in criminal case No. 90 of the Court of
First Instance of Sulu against Amirul and Amilasan, for rape, which was tried on March 12, 13 and 19,
1947, the respondent appeared as counsel de parte for the accused. Having acted as such, he had no
right to collect, as he did, his salary as justice of the peace of Talipao and Maimbung for the days that
he was absent to attend to the trial of the case. This irregularity is aggravated by the fact that to enable
himself to collect his salary, he falsified his daily time record so as to show that he was present in his
office when in fact he was not. This act of respondent reflects strongly against his honesty and integrity
as a public official. However, as it appears that he held office in the morning of March 19, 1947, before
leaving his district for Jolo to attend to the continuation of the trial of criminal case No. 90 which was
held in the afternoon of said date, he is entitled to his salary for that day, so that only the salary for
March 12 and 13, 1947, was illegally collected.

As regards the third charge, it appears that in April, 1947, a daughter of Moro Ambut was
forcibly abducted and raped by persons from the municipal district of Talipao. The provincial fiscal
to whom the incident was first reported conducted the necessary investigation and thereafter advised
Moro Ambut to take all the papers to the respondent for action. Instead of accepting the criminal
complaint, the respondent told Moro Ambut of his desire to settle the case amicably. At first Moro
Ambut refused to have the case settled, fearing that the fiscal might not conform thereto, but the
respondent told him not to worry about the fiscal’s attitude inasmuch as the case was already in his
court. In view of respondent’s manifestation, Moro Ambut agreed to compromise the case for which he
was paid P200, a gold bullion worth $25 and a cow by the offenders.

OFFICIAL GAZETTE

QUIRINO| Volume 5

In the course of the amicable settlement, the respondent became interested in a ring which he saw
on Ambut’s finger and borrowed it, promising to return it later. On the day the amicable settlement
was concluded, Ambut requested the respondent to return the ring, but the latter refused to do so
unless Ambut first paid him the sum of P60. After consultation with his friends who advised him to
pay because the ring was worth P 1 50, Ambut decided to meet the respondent’s demand. Later, Ambut
denounced the respondent to the fiscal for having exacted from him P60, and the fiscal accordingly
filed an information for estafa against the respondent in the justice of the peace court of Jolo. Before
the case could be heard, however, the respondent, through Justice of the Peace Flor of Parang and
Indanan, returned the P60 to Ambut. On July 28, 1947, the fiscal asked for the dismissal of the case for
lack of interest on the part of Moro Ambut, which motion was granted the following day.

Public officials like the respondent who, for the service they owe to the public and for which they
are duly paid, not only expect but even demand something extra-legal for rendering it, are unworthy to
minister unto those they are sworn to serve in all fidelity. This administration will not hesitate to purge
the service of corrupt and mercenary public officials who are wont to abuse their positions for purely
personal ends.

Wherefore, respondent Esteban T. Bumanglag is hereby removed from the office of justice of the
peace of Talipao and Maimbung Province of Sulu.

Done in the City of Manila, this 23rd day of April, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
forty-eight, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the second.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

EMILIO ABELLO

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1948). Administrative Order No. 53: Removing Mr. Esteban T. Bumanglag from
the office of Justice of the Peace of Talipao and Maimbung, Province of Sulu. Official Gazette of the
Republic of the Philippines, 44(4), 1132-1134.

MESSAGES OF THE PRESIDENT

QUIRINO | Volume 5

MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 54

CREATING A COMMITTEE TO EXAMINE THE ACTUAL CONDITIONS IN THE SURPLUS

PROPERLY COMMISSION.

A committee is hereby created to examine the actual conditions in the Surplus Property
Commission. Lhe Committee shall be composed of Justice Antonio Horrilleno, Dr. Pio Joven, and
Mr. Alfredo Jacinto.

Lhe Committee is empowered and authorized to examine books, documents, papers, or records
of the Surplus Property Commission and of any of the departments, bureaus, offices, agencies and
instrumentalities of the Government and to call upon any department, bureau, office, agency or
instrumentality of the Government for such information as it may require in the performance of its
functions. Likewise, every department, bureau, office, agency, or instrumentality of the Government
shall make available to the Committee, upon the latter’s request, the services or assistance of any official
or employee thereof. For this purpose, the Committee is hereby granted all the powers to summon
witnesses, administer oaths, and take testimony or evidence relevant to the inquiry and examination
under sections 71 and 580 of the Revised Administrative Code.

Lhe Committee shall submit to the President of the Philippines its report and recommendations as
soon as possible but not later than July 31, 1948.

Members of the Committee shall be paid such per diems, transportation and other expenses as
may be fixed by the President payable from the funds of the Surplus Property Commission.

Done in the City of Manila, this 7th day of May, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
forty-eight, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the second.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

EMILIO ABELLO

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1948). Administrative Order No. 54: Creating a Committee to examine the actual
conditions in the Surplus Property Commission. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines,
44(5), 1454-1455.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 55

CREATING A TECHNICAL COMMITTEE FOR THE DELIMITATION OF UNITED STATES

MILITARY BASES IN THE PHILIPPINES.

A committee is hereby created to give technical advice in the negotiations for the delimitation
of the boundaries of United States military bases in the Philippines, in accordance with section 4,
Article I, of the Military Base Agreement between the Philippines and the United States, which shall be
composed of the following:

(a) A representative of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Chairman

( b ) Two other officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Members

(d) A representative of the Bureau of Mines Member

(e) A representative of the Bureau of Forestry Member

(f) The Provincial Forester of the Province where the base is located Member

The members of the Committee shall be designated by the Secretary of Foreign Affairs upon
recommendation of the Department Heads concerned.

The Committee shall undertake its work under the supervision of the Secretary of Foreign Affairs
and shall have the following powers and duties:

(a) To meet and confer with officials of the United States Army assigned to the same work for the
purpose of ascertaining, jointly with them, the boundaries of the military bases in the Philippines which
the United States Army proposes;

( b ) To determine the adverse effect which the proposed boundaries of the bases will have upon
Philippine interests, particularly upon the rights of private individuals and of government entities and
on the overall military, land, forest, and mineral policies of the Philippines;

(c) To communicate the information gathered to their respective Department Heads and to the
Secretary of Foreign Affairs;

( d ) To ascertain the views and recommendations of their respective Department Heads on
the matter and transmit the same to the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, or his representative in the
negotiations;

(e) To submit a counter proposal with appropriate reasons which will serve as basis for action on
the part of the Philippine diplomatic representatives during the negotiations; and

(/) To undertake any work which the Secretary of Foreign Affairs may assign them to do in
connection with the delimitation of United States military bases in the Philippines.

The traveling expenses, subsistence allowances and other authorized expenses of the Committee
shall be borne by the Office of the President.

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QUIRINO | Volume 5

Officials and employees of all departments, bureaus, offices, agencies and instrumentalities of the
Government are hereby enjoined to cooperate with the Committee in the discharge of its task and to
furnish to the Committee such data and information as it may need.

Done in the City of Manila, this 7th day of May, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
forty-eight, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the second.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

EMILIO ABELLO

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1948). Administrative Order No. 55: Creating a Technical Committee for the
delimitation of United States military bases in the Philippines. Official Gazette of the Republic of the
Philippines, 44(5), 1455-1457.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 56

CREATING A NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO TAKE CHARGE OF THE SECOND
ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ON JULY 4, 1948.

Whereas, the fourth of July, 1946, is of great historical importance to the Filipino people because
it was on that day that Philippine Independence was granted and the Republic of the Philippines
proclaimed and inaugurated; and

Whereas, in order to impress upon our people, especially the youth, the significance of that
important event in our national life, it is fitting and proper that the day be observed with appropriate
ceremonies;

Now, therefore, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested
in me by law, do hereby constitute and create a National Committee to formulate plans and devise
ways and means for the appropriate celebration of the second anniversary of the Republic of the
Philippines. The Committee shall be composed of the following:

Hon. Ricardo Nepomuceno

Gen. Rafael Jalandoni

Hon. Marciano Roque

Hon. Jose Figueras

Hon. Manuel de la Fuente...

Mr. Vicente Carmona

Mr. Gil Puyat

Mrs. Francisca T. Benitez

Dr. Manuel Lim

Mr. Vicente Rufino

Mr. Vicente Lontok

Chairman

Member

Executive Secretary

The Committee shall meet at the call of the Chairman and for the purpose of discharging its
functions, may create such subcommittees as may be necessary.

MESSAGES OF THE PRESIDENT

QUIRINO | Volume 5

Done in the City of Manila, this 22nd day of May, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
forty-eight, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the second.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

EMILIO ABELLO

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1948). Administrative Order No. 56: Creating a National Committee to take charge
of the second anniversary celebration of the Republic of the Philippines on July 4, 1948. Official
Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 44(5), 1457-1458.

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QUIRINO| Volume 5

MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 57

AMENDING ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 4, DATED JULY 19, 1946, SO AS TO CHANGE
THE COMPOSITION OF THE COMMITTEE CREATED THEREUNDER.

By virtue of the powers vested in me by law, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, do
hereby amend Administrative Order No. 4, dated July 19, 1946, so as to change the composition of the
Interdepartmental Committee created thereunder as follows:

The Secretary of Commerce and Industry Chairman

A representative of the Department of Foreign Affairs Member

A representative of the Department of Public Works and

Communications Member

A representative of the Department of Agriculture and

Natural Resources Member

A representative of the Philippine Relief and Trade

Rehabilitation Administration Member

Done in the City of Manila, this 29th day of May, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and forty-
eight, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the second.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

EMILIO ABELLO

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1948). Administrative Order No. 57: Amending Administrative Order No. 4, dated
July 19, 1946, so as to change the composition of the Committee created thereunder. Official Gazette
of the Republic of the Philippines, 44(5), 1458.

MESSAGES OF THE PRESIDENT

QUIRINO | Volume 5

MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 58

APPOINTING THE HONORABLE RAMON AVANCENA, FORMER CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE
SUPREME COURT OF THE PHILIPPINES, MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL OF STATE.

Pursuant to the provisions of Executive Order No. 5, dated July 12, 1946, I, Elpidio Quirino,
President of the Philippines, do hereby appoint the Honorable Ramon Avancena, former Chief Justice
of the Supreme Court of the Philippines, member of the Council of State.

Done in the City of Manila, this 4th day of June, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
forty-eight, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the second.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

EMILIO ABELLO

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1948). Administrative Order No. 58: Appointing the Honorable Ramon Avancena,
former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines, member of the Council of State. Official
Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 44(6), 1797-1798.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 59

AUTHORIZING THE MANILA INSURANCE COMPANY TO BECOME A SURETY UPON
OFFICIAL RECOGNIZANCES, STIPULATIONS, BONDS AND UNDERTAKINGS.

Whereas, section 1 of Act No. 536, as amended by Act No. 2206, provides that whenever any
recognizance, stipulation, bond or undertaking conditioned for the faithful performance of any duty
or of any contract made with any public authority, national, provincial, municipal, or otherwise,
or of any undertaking, or for the doing or refraining from doing anything in such recognizance,
stipulation, bond or undertaking specified, is, by the laws of the Philippines or by the regulations
or resolutions of any public authority therein, required or permitted to be given with one surety
or with two or more sureties, the execution of the same or the guaranteeing of the performance
of the condition thereof shall be sufficient when executed or guaranteed solely by any corporation
organized under the laws of the Philippines, having power to guarantee the fidelity of persons
holding positions of public or private trust and to execute and guarantee bonds or undertakings in
judicial proceedings and to agree to the faithful performance of any contract or undertaking made
with any public authority;

Whereas, said section further provides that no head of department, court, judge, officer, board,
or body executive, legislative or judicial shall approve or accept any corporation as surety on any
recognizance, stipulation, bond, contract, or undertaking, unless such corporation has been authorized
to do business in the Philippines in the manner provided by the provisions of said Act No. 536, as
amended, nor unless such corporation has by contract with the Government of the Republic of the
Philippines been authorized to become a surety upon official recognizances, stipulations, bonds and
undertakings; and

Whereas, The Manila Insurance Company is a domestic corporation organized and existing
under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines and fulfills the conditions prescribed by said Act No.
536, as amended.

Now, therefore, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers in
me vested by law, hereby authorize The Manila Insurance Company to become a surety upon official
recognizances, stipulations, bonds and undertakings in such manner and under such conditions as are
provided by law, except that the total amount of immigration bonds that it may issue shall not, at any
time, exceed its admitted assets.

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QUIRINO | Volume 5

Done in the City of Manila, this 14th day of June, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
forty-eight, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the second.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

EMILIO ABELLO

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1948). Administrative Order No. 59: Authorizing the Manila Insurance Company to
become a surety upon official recognizances, stipulations, bonds and undertakings. Official Gazette of
the Republic of the Philippines, 44(6), 1798-1799.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 60

CREATING THE SUGAR REHABILITATION AND READJUSTMENT COMMISSION

For the purpose of advising the President on the problems affecting the rehabilitation of the
sugar industry and readjusting it to the conditions vitally affecting its existence after the expiration of
the duty-free period of eight years provided for in the Executive Agreement of July 4, 1946, between
the Philippines and the United States, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the
powers vested in me by law, do hereby create a Sugar Rehabilitation and Readjustment Commission
composed of five members. The members of the Commission who are not officers or employees of the
Government shall receive such compensation as shall be fixed by the President.

For the effective performance of its functions, the Commission is empowered to issue subpoena
and subpoena duces tecum to compel the production of documents, to administer oaths and take
testimony or evidence relative to any matter within its functions. It shall also be empowered and
authorized to call upon any Department, bureau, office, agency or instrumentality of the Government,
including the corporations owned and controlled by the same, for such assistance as it may require in
the performance of its work.

The Commission shall submit its report and recommendations to the President of the Philippines
from time to time.

Done in the City of Manila, this 19th day of June, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
forty-eight, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the second.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

EMILIO ABELLO

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1948). Administrative Order No. 60: Creating the Sugar Rehabilitation and
Readjustment Commission. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 44(6), 1799-1800.

MESSAGES OF THE PRESIDENT

QUIRINO | Volume 5

MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 61

ON CHARGES AGAINST MR. MELECIO FABROS, DEPUTY INSULAR COLLECTOR OF

CUSTOMS

This is an administrative case against Mr. Melecio Fabros, Deputy Insular Collector of Customs,
who stands charged with the following irregularities: (1) electioneering for candidates of the past
administration in the national elections of April 23, 1946; (2) favoritism in matters of appointment
and promotion while acting as Insular Collector of Customs; (3) abuse of authority; (4) neglect of
duty, dishonesty and misappropriation of customs fund withdrawn from the Philippine National Bank,
Cebu Branch, before the invasion by the Japanese forces of the City of Cebu where he was Collector of
Customs.

With respect to charge No. 1, there is no doubt that the respondent participated in the last
elections in a manner prohibited by law. Considering, however, the atmosphere then prevailing in the
Government and the pressure to which the officers and employees were subjected by the department
heads in order to rally them to the support of the administration at the time, I do not consider
respondent’s violation of the law and regulations inhibiting electioneering sufficient to warrant drastic
action against him.

With respect to charge No. 2, it is claimed that respondent promoted a number of employees of
the Bureau of Customs who are his favorites and relatives. It appears, however, that their promotions
were made on the basis of efficiency. Many employees were recommended by respondent for
promotion and were in fact promoted, because of the many existing vacancies, in recognition of their
loyalty and devotion to duty. The promotion of his brother-in-law as appraiser was not tainted with
any irregularity, considering his qualifications, educational attainment and length of service, as well as
the fact that he had been connected with the Bureau of Customs before respondent was made Acting
Insular Collector of Customs. As to his son-in-law who is a war veteran who needed assistance, there
is nothing irregular and objectionable in his appointment as storekeeper for an American firm, said
position not being in the Civil Service and the salary thereof is not paid by the Government but by the
firm for which he works.

With respect to charge No. 3, it has been shown that respondent assigned harbor policemen
to guard his house and summarily dismissed one from the service for failing to do so. I consider it
improper for the respondent to have employed men in the public service for private ends, but
considering the conditions of the time, when the life and property of everyone, including those of
public officials, were not altogether free from danger, respondent should not be held strictly to account
for his act. With regard to the dismissal of the harbor policeman, it turned out that he left his post
without permission and respondent separated him summarily from the service. Respondent did the
practical thing, as said policeman had not been duly appointed, his appointment then awaiting the
signature of the Secretary of Finance. Being temporary, it was in the best interest of the service that he
should not be retained in view of his dereliction of duty. Nevertheless, as a matter of official courtesy,
respondent should have referred the matter to the Secretary of Finance who is vested with the power of

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appointment and removal of harbor policemen. For this irregularity, a reprimand and warning to the
respondent would be sufficient.

With respect to charge No. 4, it is claimed that respondent failed within a reasonable time to
render a complete accounting of his money and property responsibility as Collector of Customs
of Cebu, notwithstanding the memorandum of the Auditor for the Bureau of Customs requiring
accountable officers thereof to do so; that in his affidavit attached to his application for clearance filed
with the Auditor General, he stated that he made cash advances to the Province of Cebu in amounts he
could not recall when as a matter of fact no such advances were made; that he failed to account for the
sum of P327,578.55 of his total cash withdrawal of P765,008.29 from the Philippine National Bank,
Cebu Branch.

I find no willful neglect on the part of respondent in not rendering promptly an accounting of
funds pertaining to the Cebu Customhouse for the reason that he was not directly and personally
accountable therefor, his responsibility being merely supervisory in nature. He was, therefore, justified
in his belief that he was not included in the requirement above mentioned. The subsequent filing of an
application for clearance with the Auditor General is enough to show that respondent never meant to
disregard his obligation to clear himself of responsibility. His statement that advances were made to
the Province of Cebu were not intended to serve as absolute basis for the settlement of his accounts
but was only part of an honest attempt to recollect incidents that transpired many years before in an
effort to comply with the requirements for the issuance of clearance. As a matter of fact, he paid to
the Provincial Treasurer of Cebu the amount of P200,000 under Official Receipt No. 1-1231597 on
February 4, 1942, by way of reimbursement of the same amount advanced by said Provincial Treasurer
to the Finance Officers of the USAFFE.

The records of the Philippine National Bank, Cebu Branch, show that the total cash withdrawal
for the account of the Cebu Customhouse prior to the invasion of Cebu by the Japanese amounted
to P765,008.29. The question regarding the disposition of this sum was investigated by a Committee
of Auditors in the General Auditing Office, appointed by the Auditor General, in connection with
respondent’s application for clearance, it being a matter involving settlement of accounts over which
said officer has exclusive jurisdiction. The investigation disclosed that the amount of P400,000
was advanced by respondent to the Finance Officer of the USAFFE to be used for expenses of war
operations due to the isolation of the USAFFE units in the Visayas and Mindanao from headquarters
in Manila. Of the P40 0,000 aforementioned, P200,000 was delivered on March 7, 1942, to Lt. Col.
F. Villacastin, Finance Officer of the USAFFE, and P20 0,000 was paid by respondent on February 4,
1942, under Official Receipt No. 1-1231597 to the Provincial Treasurer of Cebu by way of
reimbursement of the same amount advanced by said officer to the USAFFE. The amount of
P155,937.74 was transferred from Account No. 1 (Trust Fund) to Account No. 2 (Disbursing Officer’s
Revolving Fund), both of the Collector of Customs of Cebu with the Philippine National Bank;
P199,531.56 (Check No. 166922 for P113,030.56 and Check No. 166941 for P86,501) was made up
of pre-war remittances to the Treasurer of the Philippines; P6,207.74 was transferred to Account No. 3,
and P3,33 1 .25 was made up of sundry cash withdrawals covered by various checks from December 13,
1941, to April 9, 1942. Summing up the above-mentioned items, the total of P765,008.29 is obtained.
It is, therefore, clear that not even a single centavo of the amount alleged to have been unaccounted for
was misappropriated. The Auditor General concurs in the findings of the Committee and recommends
exoneration of the respondent. The Collector of Customs takes exception to said findings and insists
that of the sum of P765,008.29 only the amount of P441,000 was accounted for, leaving a balance
of P324,008.29 alleged to have been misappropriated by respondent and Mr. Paulino Valdez, then
Deputy Collector of Customs and Cashier for the Port of Cebu. I have carefully gone over the report

MESSAGES OF THE PRESIDENT

QUIRINO | Volume 5

of the Committee and have found to my satisfaction that its findings of fact are fully supported by the
evidence of record. I also consider the recommendation of the Auditor General for the exoneration of
the respondent as correct and just.

In view of the foregoing, I hereby exonerate Mr. Melecio Fabros, Deputy Insular Collector of
Customs, of the charges against him except as to the charge of abuse of authority for which I reprimand
and warn him that the commission of the same or similar irregularity in the future will be dealt with
more severely. It appearing that he has been suspended from office by reason of this case, I hereby
order his immediate reinstatement in the service.

Done in the City of Manila, this 12th day of June, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
forty-eight, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the second.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

EMILIO ABELLO

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1948). Administrative Order No. 61: On charges against Mr. Melecio Fabros, Deputy
Insular Collector of Customs. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 44(6), 1800-1803.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 62

AMENDING ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NUMBERED FIFTY-FOUR, DATED MAY 7, 1948

By virtue of the powers vested in me by law, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines,
do hereby empower the Committee created under Administrative Order No. 54, dated May 7,1948,
to look into and investigate the transactions concluded by the former Government Procurement
Commission relative to the disposal of surplus property transferred to the Philippine Government
pursuant to the Agreement entered into between the Republic of the Philippines and the United States,
dated September 11, 1946. The Committee shall embody its findings on the former Government
Procurement Commission as integral part of the report it shall submit on the actual conditions of the
Surplus Property Commission.

Administrative Order No. 54, dated May 7, 1948, is hereby amended accordingly.

Done in the City of Manila, this 7th day of July, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
forty-eight, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the third.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

EMILIO ABELLO

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1948). Administrative Order No. 62: Amending Administrative Order Numbered
Fifty-four, dated May 7, 1948. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 44(7), 2164.

MESSAGES OF THE PRESIDENT

QUIRINO | Volume 5

MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 63

AUTHORIZING THE PHILIPPINE SURETY AND INSURANCE COMPANY, INCORPORATED,
TO BECOME A SURETY UPON OFFICIAL RECOGNIZANCES, STIPULATIONS, BONDS AND

UNDERTAKINGS.

Whereas, the Philippine Surety & Insurance Company, Inc., is a domestic corporation organized
and existing under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines and fulfills the conditions prescribed by
said Act No. 536, as amended;

Now, therefore, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers in me
vested by law, do hereby authorize the Philippine Surety & Insurance Co., Inc., to become a surety
upon official recognizances, stipulations, bonds and undertakings in such manner and under such
conditions as are provided by law, except that the total amount of immigration bonds that it may issue
shall not, at any time, exceed its admitted assets.

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Done in the City of Manila, this 23rd day of July, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
forty-eight, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the third.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

EMILIO ABELLO

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1948). Administrative Order No. 63: Authorizing the Philippine Surety and Insurance
Company, Incorporated, to become a surety upon official recognizances, stipulations, bonds and
undertakings. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 44(7), 2165-2166.

MESSAGES OF THE PRESIDENT

QUIRINO | Volume 5

MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 64

AUTHORIZING THE REPUBLIC SURETY AND INSURANCE COMPANY, INC.,
TO BECOME A SURETY UPON OFFICIAL RECOGNIZANCES, STIPULATIONS,
BONDS AND UNDERTAKINGS.

Whereas, said section further provides that no head of department, court, judge, officer, board,
or body executive, legislative, or judicial shall approve or accept any corporation as surety on any
recognizance, stipulation, bond, contract, or undertaking, unless such corporation has been authorized
to do business in the Philippines in the manner provided by the provisions of said Act No. 536, as
amended, nor unless such corporation has by contract with the Government of the Republic of the
Philippines been authorized to become a surety upon official recognizances, stipulations, bonds and
undertakings; and

Whereas, the Republic Surety and Insurance Company, Inc., is a domestic corporation organized
and existing under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines and fulfills the conditions prescribed by
said Act No. 536, as amended.

Now, therefore, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers in me
vested by law, do hereby authorize the Republic Surety and Insurance Company, Inc., to become a
surety upon official recognizances, stipulations, bonds and undertakings in such manner and under
such conditions as are provided by law, except that the total amount of the immigration bonds that it
may issue shall not, at any time, exceed its admitted assets.

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Done in the City of Manila, this 29th day of July, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
forty-eight, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the third.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

EMILIO ABELLO

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1948). Administrative Order No. 64: Authorizing the Republic Surety and
Insurance Company, Inc., to become a surety upon official recognizances, stipulations, bonds and
undertakings. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 44(8), 2607-2608.

MESSAGES OF THE PRESIDENT

QUIRINO | Volume 5

MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 65

AMENDING ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 13 DATED OCTOBER 12, 1946, CREATING THE

PHILIPPINE PORT COMMISSION.

Administrative Order No. 13, dated October 12, 1946, entitled “Creating a Commission, to be
known as the Philippine Port Commission, to perform the functions of the Committee created under
Administrative Order No. 35, dated 29 May 1946, and to act as the agency of the Republic of the
Philippines in connection with the rehabilitation, improvement and construction of port and harbor
facilities in the Philippines under section 303 (a) of the Philippine Rehabilitation Act of 1946,” is hereby
amended by including the Commander of the Philippine Naval Patrol in the present membership of the
Philippine Port Commission.

Done in the City of Manila, this 2nd day of August, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and forty-eight, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the third.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

EMILIO ABELLO

Executive Secretary

Source-. Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1948). Administrative Order No. 65: Amending Administrative Order No. 13 dated
October 12, 1946, creating the Philippine Port Commission. Official Gazette of the Republic of the
Philippines, 44(8), 2608-2609.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 66

CREATING AN ADVISORY BOARD TO ADVISE THE PRESIDENT ON THE
IMPLEMENTATION OF PUBLIC LAW NO. 865 OF THE 80TH CONGRESS OF THE UNITED
STATES, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE ROGERS ACT.

Whereas, the 80th Congress of the United States has recently passed Public Law No. 865,
otherwise known as the Rogers Act, providing for the care and hospitalization of world war veterans;
Whereas, it has become necessary to take steps for the implementation of this Act;

Now, therefore, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in
me by law, do hereby create and constitute an Advisory Board which shall be composed of the following:

Secretary of National Defense Chairman

Commissioner of the Budget Member

Surgeon General, Armed Forces of the Philippines Member

Chairman, Philippine Veterans Board Member

Director of Hospitals Member

Dean of the College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Member

Director of Public Works Member

It shall be the duty of the Board to advise the President on the designation of the government agency
to handle the implementation of the Rogers Act; to make recommendations on how to take care of
the disabled veterans with the least possible delay; to recommend sites for the location of the different
veterans’ hospitals and the priority of their construction; to recommend type buildings for veterans’
hospital; and to advise the President on the administration of said hospitals.

Done in the City of Manila, this 4th day of August, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and forty-eight, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the third.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

EMILIO ABELLO

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1948). Administrative Order No. 66: Creating an Advisory Board to advise the President
on the implementation of Public Law No. 865 of the 80th Congress of the United States, otherwise known
as the Rogers Act. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 44(8), 2609-2610.

MESSAGES OF THE PRESIDENT

QUIRINO | Volume 5

MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 67

REMOVING MR. JOSE Z. TIAPON FROM OFFICE AS CHIEF OF POLICE OF THE CITY OF

DAVAO

This is an administrative case against Mr. Jose Z. Tiapon, Chief of Police of the City of Davao,
arising from 52 charges filed by Mayor Leon A. Garcia and Chief of the Secret Service Alfonso Teodoro.

After a careful perusal of the evidence, testimonial and documentary, presented during the
investigation of the case conducted in the City of Davao, I find the following facts to have been
established:

(1) That in the operation of the fish corral business of respondent’s wife, the official jeep marked
“Chief of Police” was utilized on several occasions in transporting fish from the fish corrals to the
public market at Bankerohan; that respondent availed himself from time to time of the services of
Detective Jesus Torrefranca and Patrolman George Varian for this private purpose; and that respondent
took advantage of his position by improperly utilizing the services of Patrolman Ceferino Taleon in the
driving of his wife’s weapons carrier which was used in the hauling of fish from her fish corrals to the
public market.

(2) That by helping solicit advertisements for the Davao Post Express, published and printed
by the “Commercial Press”, and allowing a member of the Davao Police Force (Patrolman Marcial
Lariosa) to do painting jobs at the Commercial Press establishment, respondent has shown his personal
interest in, if not actual connection with, the commercial printing business in which his wife has part
interest, thus taking advantage of his official position as Chief of Police to further said business and
even going to the extent of ordering food from the Aroma Restaurant and signing the chits thus: “For
the Commercial Press, Jose Z. Tiapon, Chief of Police.”

(3) That respondent had been issuing identification cards to persons, designating them as “peace
officers of the City Police Department * * * vested with police powers” and that one of the persons so
designated, Inong Awi, does not even know how to read and write.

(4) That respondent, in recommending to the City Mayor for appointment in the police force
an escaped convict from Muntinlupa (Enrique Altamira) and persons who later turned out to be
unworthy (Patrolmen Tribunal and Niega — both convicted of robbery), failed to exercise the necessary
precaution and diligence in the selection of his subordinate personnel.

(5) That respondent, in a personal and confidential letter to the Mayor of the City of Davao,
requested the latter to use his influence so that the case for robbery against Patrolmen Agustin Tribunal
and Domingo Niega, then pending trial in court, would be quashed, which act is clearly unbecoming a
chief of police. Parenthetically, it may be stated that Patrolmen Tribunal and Niega were subsequently
convicted of robbery by the Court of First Instance of Davao and the judgment of conviction was
affirmed by the Court of Appeals.

(6) That in connection with the leave of absence without pay of his brother-in-law, Patrolman
George Varian, respondent is guilty at least of negligence in approving Lt. Guillermo de Leon’s
certification as to the correctness of the daily time records presented by Patrolman Varian that he

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QUIRINO| Volume 5

rendered service on January 1-15, 1948, when the respondent knew all the time that his brother-in-law,
who lives with him, did not render duty during said period; and it was only due to the timely action
taken by Mr. Rustico Salazar of the Office of the City Mayor that the Government was saved from
being defrauded in an amount corresponding Varian’s salary for said period.

(7) That in his correspondence with the City Mayor, respondent had been using improper and
intemperate language, as may be seen from his letter, dated January 12, 1948, wherein he wrote in part
as follows:

“The undersigned being a military man in active service is well posted in
military operations and as such he cannot countenance to receive instructions,
particularly with regards to intelligence operations from persons who have no
military background or persons who have no specific duties and intelligence
operations.”

(8) That in spite of the strong evidence against Detective Rodolfo Dizon that the latter had
criminally assaulted a minor, Dulcisima Sarco, while under police custody, respondent merely advised
said detective to resign from the service.

(9) That respondent had issued a memorandum, which is highly improper, to members of the
police force, worded as follows:

“Mr. Chan will be a big contributor to the police trust fund. “Any case
against him bring it to me for proper disposition. “Do not molest him.”

The foregoing acts of the respondent render him unfit for the position of chief of a law-
enforcement organization. Wherefore, he is hereby removed from office as Chief of Police of the City
of Davao.

Done in the City of Manila, this 12th day of August, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and forty-eight, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the third.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

EMILIO ABELLO

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1948). Administrative Order No. 67: Removing Mr. Jose Z. Tiapon from office as
Chief of Police of the City of Davao. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 44(8), 2610-

2612.

MESSAGES OF THE PRESIDENT

QUIRINO | Volume 5

MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 68
CREATING AN ACTION COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL AMELIORATION

For the purpose of implementing the six point policy of the President of the Philippines on social
amelioration and to provide an effective direction in carrying out the functions of government agencies
which can be of effective help in insuring the success of said policy, an Action Committee on Social
Amelioration is hereby created. The Commissioner of Social Welfare shall be the Chairman; and one
representative each from the Departments of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Public Works and
Communications, Education, Health, Justice and Labor, the National Land Settlement Administration,
the Rural Progress Administration, the Philippine Relief and Trade Rehabilitation Administration, and
one Executive Officer of the Committee shall constitute the membership.

The Committee shall have the following functions:

1. To coordinate and supervise the activities of the different branches, instrumentalities and
agencies of the government with a view to promoting most efficiently the welfare of the people in rural
districts.

2. To administer and supervise the distribution of governmental aids in order that the funds may
be spent properly for the purposes for which they are intended.

3. To initiate measures in addition to activities now being undertaken, calculated to attain the
objective of helping the small farmer in order to make him a productive, contented, and peace-loving
citizen.

4. To bring every facility of the government into play for the purpose of effectively helping those
who are coming into the fold of the law under the President’s Amnesty Proclamation.

5. To administer the funds assigned by the President from time to time for social amelioration work.

The Secretary or directing head of each of the Departments and government instrumentalities

above enumerated shall appoint a representative, who shall be on full time time duty with the
Committee, attend all its deliberations, execute plans, supervise field activities, act as liaison officer
between the Committee and the Department or government instrumentality he represents, submit
reports and recommendations to the Committee and perform such other duties as may be assigned to
him by the Committee.

The representatives of the Departments and government instrumentalities duly appointed as
members of the Committee shall continue to draw their salaries from their respective departments or
organizations, but shall be entitled to receive a per diem of ten pesos from the funds of the Committee
whenever they are on duty outside of Manila.

The Committee is hereby empowered to call upon any department, bureau, office, dependency,
agency, or instrumentality of the governing for such assistance, data and information as it may need in
carrying out its functions.

The Committee shall submit to the President a report of its work from time to time or as the
circumstances of each case may require.

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QUIRINO| Volume 5

Done in the City of Manila, this 12th day of August, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and forty-eight, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the third.

(SGD.) ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

(SGD.) EMILIO ABELLO

Executive Secretary

Source: Malacanang Records Office

Office of the President of the Philippines. (1948). [Administrative Order Nos.: 51 - 266]. Manila:
Malacanang Records Office.

MESSAGES OF THE PRESIDENT

QUIRINO | Volume 5

MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 69

CREATING A COMMITTEE TO INQUIRE INTO THE BOUNDARY DISPUTE OF THE
PROVINCES OF NUEVA VIZCAYA AND ISABELA ARISING FROM THE OPERATION OF
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 157, AS AMENDED BY EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 161.

Whereas, by virtue of Republic Act No. 236, the boundaries of the Province of Nueva Vizcaya
were fixed by Executive Order No. 157, dated July 10, 1948, as amended by Executive Order No. 161,
dated August 12, 1948;

Whereas, the boundary limits of the Province of Nueva Vizcaya in relation to the Province of
Isabela were determined from technical description, by bearing and distances, prepared and furnished
by the Bureau of Lands on the basis of the latest and most authoritative map of the Province of Nueva
Vizcaya prepared by the Bureau of Coast and Geodetic Survey, as specifically provided by Republic Act
No. 236.

Whereas, the provincial officials of Isabela claim that the technical description of the Province of
Nueva Vizcaya set forth in Executive Order No. 157, as amended, is not based on the cadastral survey
of the Provinces of Isabela and Nueva Vizcaya, which should be the basis of the latest map of the
Province of Nueva Vizcaya prepared by the Bureau of Coast and Geodetic Survey; and

Whereas, it is advisable that the conflicting claims of the provinces above mentioned be looked
into with a view to reaching a just and correct determination of the true location of the boundary lines
separating said provinces;

Now, therefore, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested
in me by law, do hereby create a committee to look into the conflicting claims of the Provinces of
Nueva Vizcaya and Isabela, composed of the following:

1. Mr. Salvador V. Esguerra, representing the Office of the President Chairman

2. Mr. Castor G. Lim, representing the Bureau of Coast and Geodetic Survey Member

3. Mr. Ceferino Alinsod, representing the Bureau of Lands Member

The Committee shall determine from the records of the Bureau of Coast and Geodetic Survey
and the Bureau of Lands the authoritative map which shall serve as basis of the plan and technical
description of the boundary limits of Nueva Vizcaya in relation to Isabela, and shall submit its findings
and recommendations on the matter within thirty (30) days from the date hereof.

Pending submittal of its report, the enforcement of Executive Order No. 157, as amended by
Executive Order No. 161, is hereby suspended.

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QUIRINO| Volume 5

Done in the City of Manila, this 3rd day of September, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and forty-eight, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the third.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

EMILIO ABELLO

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1948). Administrative Order No. 69: Creating a Committee to inquire into
the boundary dispute of the Provinces of Nueva Vizcaya and Isabela arising from the operation of
Executive Order No. 157, as amended by Executive Order No. 161. Official Gazette of the Republic of
the Philippines, 44(9), 3160-3161.

MESSAGES OF THE PRESIDENT

QUIRINO | Volume 5

MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 70

REMOVING MR. NICOMEDES GARCIA FROM OFFICE AS JUSTICE OF THE PEACE OF

POLILLO, PROVINCE OF QUEZON.

This is an administrative case against Mr. Nicomedes Garcia, Justice of the Peace of Polillo,
Province of Quezon, for abuse of authority and corruption in office.

With respect to the first charge, it appears that sometime in November, 1947, one Florencia
Calong, upon a criminal complaint for theft of coconuts, was ordered arrested by the respondent. After
four days’ detention, she was released upon her posting the required bond. But she had hardly regained
her freedom when the respondent recommitted her to jail “for contempt” due to her failure to comply
with his order to reduce in writing her motion renouncing her right to a preliminary investigation. It
was only after a clerk in the office of the municipal treasurer of Polillo had prepared and submitted the
desired written motion that the accused was released.

The action of the respondent in ordering the confinement of Florencia Calong under the
circumstances narrated above is a clear case of abuse of authority. It was too much for him to expect
an ordinary housewife, like Florencia Calong, to know how to prepare a written pleading which
he wanted her to submit. The action of the respondent becomes more palpably unjust when it is
considered that the law does not require such a pleading to be reduced in writing.

In connection with the same charge, the records show that on December 22, 1947, one Lorenzo
Culata was placed under custody upon a criminal complaint for illegal possession of firearms filed in
respondent’s court. Wishing to see him out of jail on Christmas, his friends and relatives managed to
raise the required amount of bail. In the morning of December 25th, they requested the respondent to
go to the municipal building to approve the bond. It so happened, however, that one of the bondsmen,
Julian Puchero, was not there when the respondent arrived. After waiting for some time, the respondent
decided to go home because, according to him, it was already past 1:00 o’clock. When he was about
to go down the stairs, he was met by bondsman Puchero and Councilor Albino Pueyo. Right at the
stairway, Councilor Pueyo requested the respondent to approve the bail bond of detained prisoner
Lorenzo Culata to enable him to enjoy his Christmas outside the jail. The respondent answered that,
as it was already late, he would just return in the afternoon for the approval of the bond. Invoking the
Christmas spirit, Councilor Pueyo pleaded with respondent, but when he pressed his plea for the third
time, the respondent declared him guilty of contempt of court and ordered the Chief of Police to detain
him in jail for three hours. However, Councilor Pueyo stayed in jail for only thirty minutes due to the
timely intervention of the Municipal Mayor who, upon being informed of the incident, immediately
went to release him.

The action of the respondent in ordering the detention of Albino Pueyo for contempt of court
allegedly committed on the stairway of the municipal building is likewise a clear case of abuse of
authority since direct contempt may only be committed when the court is in session and not when
the judge is going home. Respondent’s statement that “had I acceded to Pueyo’s request under those
circumstances, it would show that I was, as Justice of the Peace, subservient to his will, thus lowering

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QUIRINO| Volume 5

the dignity of the court which I humbly preside” shows his perverted concept of his powers. To him,
a request to amend his previous commitment or ruling, even if such request is made outside of court,
means an open defiance against his authority, and the supposed offender must go to jail to avoid
the “lowering of the dignity” of his office. If the respondent could thus arbitrarily send a municipal
councilor to prison, it may well be imagined how he would deal with a private citizen who dares cross
his way.

Respondent’s allegation that Florencia Calong and Albino Pueyo had committed acts justifying
their incarceration for contempt is manifestly untenable. There is no provision of law which qualifies as
contempt of court the failure of a litigant to comply, due to ignorance, with the order of a Justice of the
Peace to reduce his verbal motion in writing. Neither can it be a contempt of court for one to plead for
the immediate approval of a bail bond for the benefit of a detained prisoner, especially when such plea
is made out of court as in Pueyo ’s case.

As regards the charge of corruption in office, it appears that at about 9:00 o’clock in the
morning of November 15, 1947, Councilor Raymundo Filomeno requested the respondent to
solemnize the marriage of Bernardo Fernandez and Concordia Romero. The respondent told him to
go to the municipal building to have the papers prepared, promising to be there at 4:00 o’clock in the
afternoon to solemnize the marriage. By 6:00 o’clock, however, the respondent had not yet shown
up, so Councilor Filomeno went to the former’s house to inquire why he failed to go to the municipal
building as previously agreed upon. The respondent explained that he could not leave his child alone
in the house. Councilor Filomeno stayed in respondent’s house from 6:00 to 8:00 o’clock, pleading
with him to solemnize the marriage, as the relatives of the couple had some preparations with which
to celebrate the occasion that evening. When it became evident that no amount of persuasion could
make respondent perform the marriage ceremony, Councilor Filomeno decided to give P 1 5.00 to
respondent’s child in his and his wife’s presence, saying: “This is Christmas gift to you.” Thereafter,
he requested respondent’s wife to help him convince her husband to perform the marriage ceremony.
Not long afterwards, the respondent came out already dressed up and proceeded with Filomeno to the
municipal building where he solemnized the marriage in the office of the municipal treasurer.

The foregoing facts clearly show that the respondent is totally unfit to administer justice. In view
thereof, and in line with my determination to rid the public service of those whose actuations tend to
weaken or destroy the faith of the people in the Government, the respondent is hereby removed from
office as Justice of the Peace of Polillo, Quezon, effective on the date of his suspension.

Done in the City of Baguio, this 27th day of October, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and forty-eight, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the third.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1948). Administrative Order No. 70: Removing Mr. Nicomedes Garcia from office as
Justice of the Peace of Polillo, Province of Quezon. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines,
44(10), 3721-3723.

MESSAGES OF THE PRESIDENT

QUIRINO | Volume 5

MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 71

COORDINATING THE ACTIVITIES OF THE DIFFERENT RELIEF ORGANIZATIONS
OF THE GOVERNMENT IN CONNECTION WITH THE CAMPAIGN FOR THE COMPLETE
RESTORATION OF PEACE AND ORDER AND WITH DISASTERS CAUSED
BY NATURAL CALAMITIES.

For the purpose of coordinating the activities of the different relief organizations of the
Government in connection with the campaign for the complete restoration of peace and order and
with disasters caused by typhoons, floods, fires, earthquakes and other natural calamities, I, Elpidio
Quirino, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order
that:

1. The mobilization, accommodation and care of evacuees and population in troubled areas
shall be under the direction, control and supervision of the Manager of the Philippine National Red
Cross.

2. The sanitation and medical services to be rendered to the evacuees and population in the
troubled areas shall be under the direction, control and supervision of the Director of Health.

3. The procurement, storage and supply of food, clothing, medicine and other basic necessities
shall be under the direction, control and supervision of the General Manager of the Philippine Relief
and Trade Rehabilitation Administration (PRATRA).

4. The distribution of food, clothing, medicine and other basic necessities among the evacuees
and population in the troubled areas and other places in the Philippines where relief is needed, due
to emergency other than natural disasters, shall be under the direction, control and supervision of
the Commissioner of Social Welfare in cooperation with the President’s Action Committee on Social
Amelioration (PACSA).

5. The maintenance of order and the security of the whole population in troubled areas shall be
under the direction, control and supervision of the Chief of Constabulary with jurisdiction over the
local police forces.

6. In cases of disasters caused by typhoons, floods, fires, earthquakes and other natural calamities,
the relief work shall be undertaken by the Philippine National Red Cross which may call on the Social
Welfare Commission, the PACSA, or the PRATRA whenever assistance is necessary.

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QUIRINO| Volume 5

Done in the City of Baguio, this 29th day of October, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and forty-eight, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the third.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1948). Administrative Order No. 71: Coordinating the activities of the different relief
organizations of the Government in connection with the campaign for the complete restoration of
peace and order and with disasters caused by natural calamities. Official Gazette of the Republic of the
Philippines, 44(10), 3723-3724.

MESSAGES OF THE PRESIDENT

QUIRINO | Volume 5

MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 72

REMOVING MR. BRIGIDO L. TEMPERANTE FROM THE OFFICE OF REGISTER OF DEEDS

OF CAMARINES SUR.

This is an administrative case against Mr. Brigido L. Temperante, Register of Deeds of Camarines
Sur, who is charged with certain irregularities in the performance of his official duties in two specific
cases involving the issuance of certificates of title.

With respect to the first case, it appears that on April 22, 1941, one Vivencio Obias obtained a
loan of PI, 470 from the Agricultural and Industrial Bank through its agent, the Legaspi Branch of
the Philippine National Bank, secured by a mortgage of his property covered by transfer certificate of
title No. 576. Sometime in 1947, Obias secured from the Agricultural and Industrial Bank a certificate
as to the loss of the owner’s copy of transfer certificate of title No. 576 while in the possession of the
bank, apparently for purposes of the reconstitution of said title. At the same time, he was informed
that he still owed the bank P244.49. On January 2, 1948, the Rehabilitation Finance Corporation, as
successor to said bank, wrote a letter to the respondent, requesting that in case the said title should be
reconstituted, the reconstituted title be sent to the corporation, or at least withheld until it is notified. In
its order of January 27, 1948, the Court of First Instance of Camarines Sur directed the reconstitution
of the title, free from all liens and encumbrances. On February 14, 1948, the respondent issued the
reconstituted title, and on February 1 8, he wrote to the Rehabilitation Finance Corporation, in answer
to its letter of January 2, 1948, stating that in view of the order of the court, he could not withhold the
title as requested.

Under the foregoing facts, the respondent is clearly guilty of negligence in the performance of his
duties for not having answered the above-named letter of the Rehabilitation Finance Corporation soon
enough to afford said corporation an opportunity to protect its interest.

As regards the second case, the record shows that before the war, Telesforo Porto and Perpetua
Tolentino mortgaged to the Agricultural and Industrial Bank their property covered by Transfer
Certificate of Title No. 754 to guarantee a loan of P500. After the liberation, there remained a balance
of less than P200 on account of said obligation. Although the owner’s copy of said title has always been,
and still is, in the possession of the Agricultural and Industrial Bank, now the Rehabilitation Finance
Corporation, the above-named parties were able to reconstitute said title and a new Certificate of Title
No. R-754 was issued in their favor pursuant to an order of the Court of First Instance of Camarines
Sur, dated October 8, 1946, with the mortgage lien in favor of the Agricultural and Industrial Bank in
the amount of P500 duly annotated thereon. On November 13, 1947, the property covered by Transfer
Certificate of Title No. R-754 was donated by the registered owners to their grandchildren, Socorro
Villante and Manuel Villante, by virtue of which a new transfer certificate of title No. 233, free from
all liens and encumbrances, was issued by the respondent in favor of said donees. Furthermore, despite
the fact that one of the donees is only fourteen years old, he was made to appear in the title as being of
legal age.

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QUIRINO| Volume 5

The issuance by the respondent of Transfer Certificate of Title No. 233, free from all liens and
encumbrances, was grossly anomalous, no document having been presented before his office cancelling
the existing mortgage lien in favor of the Agricultural and Industrial Bank and which appeared in
transfer certificate of title No. R-754. The fact that respondent relied merely on the verbal and
unsupported statements to that effect made by the interested parties shows his ignorance of the duties
and functions of his office in regard to the registration and cancellation of deeds of conveyances
involving real estate. On the whole, his actuations in the premises run counter to the spirit and purpose
of the Torrens system of land registration and undermine the stability of titles and documents registered
thereunder.

For all the foregoing, I find the respondent guilty of gross negligence, incompetence, and ignorance
of the duties and functions of his office. Wherefore, he is hereby removed from office as register of
deeds of Camarines Sur.

Done in the City of Baguio, this 29th day of October, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and forty-eight, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the third.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1948). Administrative Order No. 72: Removing Mr. Brigido L. Temperante from
the office of Register of Deeds of Camarines Sur. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines,
44(10), 3725-3726.

MESSAGES OF THE PRESIDENT

QUIRINO | Volume 5

MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 73

DESIGNATING MR. SEVERINO NICO, DIVISION INSPECTOR OF THE BUREAU OF LANDS,
TO INVESTIGATE THE DISPUTES AND ALL OTHER DIFFERENCES THAT HAVE ARISEN
BETWEEN THE NATIONAL LAND SETTLEMENT ADMINISTRATION AND THE NATIONAL
DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, IN THE CULTIVATION OF AREAS DESIGNATED FOR USE OF
THE NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT COMPANY IN ALA VALLEY, PROVINCE OF COTABATO.

Upon the recommendation of the Chairman of the Rice Commission and the Secretary of
Agriculture and Natural Resources, and pursuant to the authority vested in me by law, I, Elpidio
Quirino, President of the Philippines, do hereby designate Mr. Severino Nico, Division Inspector of
the Bureau of Lands, to make a thorough investigation of the disputes and other differences that have
arisen between the National Land Settlement Administration and the National Development Company
in regard to the cultivation of areas designated for the use of the National Development Company in
Ala Valley, particularly in the Banga District, Province of Cotabato, especially in relation to the claims
of bona fide settlers on their rights over the areas under mechanized cultivation.

Mr. Nico shall submit his report and recommendations to the President of the Philippines as soon
as possible but not later than December 31, 1948.

Under this designation, Mr. Nico is hereby empowered and authorized to issue subpoena and
subpoena duces tecum, to compel the production of documents, to administer oaths and take testimony
or evidence relative to the matter herein involved.

Done in the City of Manila, this 12th day of November, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and forty-eight, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the third.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1948). Administrative Order No. 73: Designating Mr. Severino Nico, Division
Inspector of the Bureau of Lands, to investigate the disputes and all other differences that have arisen
between the National Land Settlement Administration and the National Development Company, in the
cultivation of areas designated for use of the National Development Company in Ala Valley, Province
of Cotabato. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 44(11), 4173-4174.

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QUIRINO| Volume 5

MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 74
DESIGNATING THE NATIONAL RIZAL DAY COMMITTEE

Whereas, the 30th day of December, 1948, is the 52nd anniversary of the martyrdom of the
greatest Filipino hero, Jose Rizal;

Now, therefore, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, do hereby call upon all
officials and citizens of the Republic to observe this year’s anniversary of our hero’s death with
the most appropriate ceremonies and programs expressive of the nation’s highest homage and
gratitude.

I hereby designate the National Rizal Day Committee composed of the following:

Hon. Sotero Baluyut

Hon. Prudencio Langcauon..

Hon. Asuncion Perez

Hon. Jose Figueras

Hon. Manuel de la Fuente....

Director Isaias Fernando

Gen. Macario Peralta

Hon. Manuel Lim

Dr. Mariano V. de los Santos

Mrs. Trinidad F. Legarda

Mr. Gregorio Licaros

Mr. V. Lontok

Chairman

Member

Executive Secretary

to organize and effect all arrangements necessary for the fitting celebration of the day all over the
Philippines and secure the cooperation of all government and private instrumentalities to insure its
success.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the
Philippines to be affixed.

MESSAGES OF THE PRESIDENT

QUIRINO | Volume 5

Done in the City of Manila, this 19th day of November, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and forty-eight, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the third.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1948). Administrative Order No. 74: Designating the National Rizal Day
Committee. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 44(11), 4174-4175.

OFFICIAL GAZETTE

QUIRINO| Volume 5

MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 75

DESIGNATING THE NATIONAL RICE AND CORN CORPORATION (NARIC) AND THE
PHILIPPINE RELIEF AND TRADE REHABILITATION ADMINISTRATION (PRATRA) AS THE
AGENCIES OF THE GOVERNMENT TO CARRY INTO EFFECT CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 184, DATED NOVEMBER 19, 1948.

For the purpose of implementing the provisions of Executive Order No. 184, dated November 19,
1948, the National Rice and Corn Corporation (NARIC) is hereby designated as the agency of the
Government to purchase or to issue license to purchase palay and/or cleaned rice at the price and
under the terms and conditions prescribed in said Executive Order. The NARIC shall also determine
the reasonable compensation, after hearing the owners, for the lease and operation of any warehouse,
mill, “kiskisan,” elevator, drier, and other facilities for the production and/or distribution of rice and /
or for the seizure and commandeering thereof if deemed by the Government necessary to do so, or
to issue license to owners of said warehouse, mill, ’’kiskisan,” elevator, drier and other facilities to be
operated in accordance with the provisions of Executive Order No. 184.

Until the rules and regulations to be recommended by the Rice Emergency Board governing
the granting of licenses shall have been issued by the President, the Philippine Relief and Trade
Rehabilitation Administration (PRATRA) is hereby authorized, in behalf of the National Rice and
Corn Corporation, to accept and gather all sworn statements required by said order to be submitted
by all persons, corporations, associations, partnerships, firms, or other entities, setting forth the
quantity of cleaned rice in stock for sale to consumers as well as the terms and conditions of all
contracts for the purchase or acquisition in any other manner of palay and /or cleaned rice to
be harvested or produced from the 1948-1949 crop and to submit to the NARIC all such sworn
statements and contracts for the purchase or acquisition of palay or cleaned rice pertaining to the
1948-1949 crop.

MESSAGES OF THE PRESIDENT

QUIRINO | Volume 5

Done in the City of Manila, this 22nd day of November, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen
hundred and forty-eight, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the third.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1948). Administrative Order No. 75: Designating the National Rice and Corn
Corporation (NARIC) and the Philippine Relief and Trade Rehabilitation Administration (PRATRA)
as the agencies of the government to carry into effect certain provisions of Executive Order No. 184,
dated November 19, 1948. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 44(11), 4175-4176.

OFFICIAL GAZETTE

QUIRINO| Volume 5

MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 76

CREATING A COMMITTEE TO IMPLEMENT EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 145, DATED JUNE 19,
1948, AS AMENDED BY EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 190, DATED DECEMBER 16, 1948,
CONCERNING THE COLLECTION OF VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS FROM PUPILS AND
STUDENTS ENROLLED IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ELEMENTARY, SECONDARY
AND COLLEGIATE SCHOOLS WITH WHICH TO FINANCE THE RESTORATION OF THE
RIZAL HOME IN CALAMBA, LAGUNA, AND DAPITAN PARK IN ZAMBOANGA.

By virtue of the powers vested in me by law, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, do
hereby create a Committee composed of the following:

Hon. Prudencio Langcauon Chairman

Hon. Manuel Lim Vice-Chairman

Dr. Cecilio Putong Member

Dr. Manuel L. Carreon Member

Mr. Juan F. Nakpil Member

Dr. Herminio Velarde Member

Mr. Joaquin de San Agustin Member

Hon. Dominador Chipeco Member

Hon. Felipe Azcuna Member

The Committee is hereby authorized to take charge of the campaign in public and private schools
for funds with which to finance the restoration of the Rizal home in Calamba, Laguna, and of
Dapitan Park in Zamboanga in accordance with Executive Order No. 145, dated June 19, 1948, as
amended by Executive Order No. 190, dated December 16, 1948. For this purpose, it may publish
and disseminate such educational materials as may be useful or desirable to make the pupils and
students in schools understand the purpose of the campaign or otherwise appreciate fully its
significance.

At the end of the campaign period on December 31, 1949, the Committee shall receive from the
school officials or schools and colleges concerned the money thus collected and deposit it in trust in the
Philippine National Bank.

On the basis of the total collection, and with the advice of the Director of Public Works, the
Committee shall draft a plan, including an itemized list of the approximate expenses necessary to
carry it out, for the restoration of the aforecited Rizal home in Calamba, Laguna, and of Dapitan
Park in Zamboanga, and submit such plan to the President of the Philippines not later than February
28, 1950.

MESSAGES OF THE PRESIDENT

QUIRINO | Volume 5

Done in the City of Manila, this 16th day of December, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and forty-eight, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the third.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1948). Administrative Order No. 76: Creating a Committee to implement Executive
Order No. 145, dated June 19, 1948, as amended by Executive Order No. 190, dated December 16,
1948, concerning the collection of voluntary contributions from pupils and students enrolled in public
and private elementary, secondary and collegiate schools with which to finance the restoration of the
Rizal home in Calamba, Laguna, and Dapitan Park in Zamboanga. Official Gazette of the Republic of
the Philippines, 44(12), 4706-4707.

OFFICIAL GAZETTE

QUIRINO| Volume 5

MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 77

SETTING ASIDE ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 23, DATED DECEMBER 21, 1946, AND
REINSTATING PROVINCIAL FISCAL MARIANO V. BENEDICTO OF ZAMBOANGA.

The informations for murder filed against Mr. Mariano V. Benedicto, Provincial Fiscal of
Zamboanga, for the deaths of Amando Perlas and Jesus F. Diez having been dismissed by the Court
of First Instance of Iloilo in its order of November 22, 1948, as amended on December 15, 1948, on
the ground that he is innocent thereof, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the
powers vested in me by law and in the interest of the public service, do hereby set aside Administrative
Order No. 23, dated December 21, 1946, suspending Provincial Fiscal Mariano V. Benedicto, and
order his reinstatement in the service. Upon appropriation of the necessary amount by competent
authorities, payment of the salary of Mr. Mariano V. Benedicto during the period of his suspension is
hereby authorized.

Done in the City of Manila, this 24th day of December, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and forty-eight, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the third.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1948). Administrative Order No. 77: Setting aside Administrative Order No. 23, dated
December 21, 1946, and reinstating Provincial Fiscal Mariano V. Benedicto of Zamboanga. Official
Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 44(12), 4708.

MESSAGES OF THE PRESIDENT

QUIRINO | Volume 5

MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 78

DESIGNATING THE NATIONAL RICE AND CORN CORPORATION TO EXERCISE FULL
CONTROL AND SUPERVISION OF THE DISTRIBUTION OF RICE THROUGHOUT THE

PHILIPPINES.

For the purpose of further implementing the provisions of Executive Order No. 184, dated
November 19, 1948, the National Rice and Corn Corporation (NARIC) shall exercise full control and
supervision of the distribution of rice throughout the Philippines, and for this purpose it may designate
the Philippine Relief and Trade Rehabilitation Administration (PRATRA), or any other governmental
institution as well as private parties, as its agencies to operate under such rules and regulations as it
may adopt and promulgate.

This Order shall take effect as of December 8, 1948.

Done in the City of Manila, this 21st day of January, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and forty-nine, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the third.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1949). Administrative Order No. 78: Designating the National Rice and Corn
Corporation to exercise full control and supervision of the distribution of rice throughout the
Philippines. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 45(1), 22-23.

OFFICIAL GAZETTE

QUIRINO| Volume 5

MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 79

DESIGNATING THE RICE EMERGENCY BOARD TO COORDINATE AND GATHER DATA
FROM THE DIFFERENT SOURCES REGARDING RICE PRODUCTION,
CONSUMPTION AND SUPPLY.

By virtue of the powers vested in me by law, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, do
hereby designate the Rice Emergency Board, created by Executive Order No. 184, dated November 19,
1948, as the sole coordinating body of the Government to gather data from different sources,
governmental or private, in matters of rice production, consumption and supply for purposes of official
publication.

This Order shall take effect as of December 8, 1948.

Done in the City of Manila, this 21st day of January, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and forty-nine, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the third.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1949). Administrative Order No. 79: Designating the Rice Emergency Board to
coordinate and gather data from the different sources regarding rice production, consumption and
supply. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 45(1), 23.

MESSAGES OF THE PRESIDENT

QUIRINO | Volume 5

MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 80

RULES AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE ISSUANCE OF LICENSES FOR THE
PURCHASE OF PALAY AND/OR RICE UNDER EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 184, DATED

NOVEMBER 19, 1948.

For the purpose of further implementing the provisions of Executive Order No. 184, dated
November 19, 1948, and Administrative Order No. 75, dated November 22, 1948, regarding the
issuance of licenses by the National Rice and Corn Corporation (NARIC) to private persons or entities
for the purchase of palay and/or clean rice at the price, and under the terms and conditions, prescribed
under said Executive Order, the following rules and regulations are hereby promulgated:

1. All licenses issued by the NARIC shall be effective only during the lifetime of said Executive
Order No. 184, but not exceeding one year from the date of promulgation thereof, unless (1) they are
revoked earlier by the NARIC or (2) cancelled upon request of the licensee;

2. The NARIC may revoke and cancel any license for any of the following causes:

a. In the event that the licensee becomes insolvent or in some way or another fails to perform the
operations for which the license was granted;

b. In the event that the licensee violates any rule, regulation or directive of the NARIC, or any
provision of Executive Order No. 184;

c. If any bribe, commission, gift, or advantage is given, promised or offered, directly or indirectly,
by the licensee to any officer or employee of the NARIC or of any other Government entity designated
to carry out and enforce Executive Order No. 184; and

d. In the event that public interest so demands.

3. In such localities as the NARIC may deem necessary, it shall issue official prices for palay to be
paid by licensed purchasers as well as maximum prices for rice to be paid by the ultimate consumers.

4. The licensees shall finance and undertake their respective operations on their own account and

risk.

5. The licensee shall keep books of accounts with daily entries and render monthly reports to
the NARIC on purchases, stocks, milling recoveries, deposits and sales. All books and records of the
licensee shall be subject to inspection by duly authorized representatives of the NARIC.

6. Areas of operation of licensees may be delimited by the NARIC if and when it so deems
necessary.

7. The NARIC reserves the right to purchase all or any portion of the stocks of palay and /
or rice of the licensee or direct its sale if and when the NARIC so deems necessary for the effective
implementation of Executive Order No. 184.

These rules and regulations shall take effect as of January 15, 1949.

OFFICIAL GAZETTE

QUIRINO| Volume 5

Done in the City of Manila, this 21st day of January, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and forty-nine, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the third.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1949). Administrative Order No. 80: Rules and regulations governing the issuance
of licenses for the purchase of palay and/or rice under Executive Order No. 384, dated November 19,
1948. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 45(1), 24-25.

MESSAGES OF THE PRESIDENT

QUIRINO | Volume 5

MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 81

AUTHORIZING THE INSTITUTE OF NUTRITION TO CONDUCT RESEARCHES AND
INVESTIGATIONS IN THE APPLIED SCIENCE OF FOOD AND NUTRITION AND IN OTHER
ACTIVITIES TOWARDS EFFECTIVE IMPROVEMENT OF NUTRITION IN THE PHILIPPINES.

In order to attain a more effective improvement of the level of nutrition of the people of the
Philippines, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law,
do hereby authorize the Institute of Nutrition to conduct researches and investigations in the applied
science of food and nutrition, and to engage in other activities tending to bring about the amelioration
of the nutrition of the masses of our people, in addition to the powers and functions vested in said
institute by existing law.

Done in the City of Manila, this 25th day of January, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and forty-nine, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the third.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source-. Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1949). Administrative Order No. 81: Authorizing the Institute of Nutrition to
conduct researches and investigations in the applied science of food and nutrition and in other activities
towards effective improvement of nutrition in the Philippines. Official Gazette of the Republic of the
Philippines, 45(1), 25.

OFFICIAL GAZETTE

QUIRINO| Volume 5

MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 82

CREATING A COMMITTEE TO LOCATE A PARCEL OF LAND OF THE PUBLIC OR PRIVATE
DOMAIN OF THE GOVERNMENT IN THE CITY OF MANILA TO BE RESERVED FOR THE

BOY SCOUTS OF THE PHILIPPINES

Whereas, the Boy Scouts of the Philippines, a public corporation created under Commonwealth
Act No. Ill for the purpose of promoting the character development and citizenship training of the
Filipino youth, is in need of a lot on which to construct a building for its use; and

Whereas, said organization does not have sufficient funds with which to purchase the lot that it
needs;

Now, therefore, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested
in me by law, do hereby create a Committee which shall locate a parcel of land of the public or private
domain of the Government in the City of Manila to be reserved for the Boy Scouts of the Philippines.
The Committee shall be composed of the Secretary of Agriculture and Natural Resources, as Chairman,
and the Secretary of Public Works and Communications and the Secretary of Education, as members.

The Committee shall submit its report and recommendations as soon as possible.

Done in the City of Manila, this 4th day of February, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and forty-nine, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the third.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1949). Administrative Order No. 82: Creating a Committee to locate a parcel of land
of the public or private domain of the Government in the City of Manila to be reserved for the Boy
Scouts of the Philippines. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 45(2), 555.

MESSAGES OF THE PRESIDENT

QUIRINO | Volume 5

MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 83

CREATING A TECHNICAL COMMITTEE TO PREPARE AN INTEGRATED PLAN OF
DEVELOPMENT CENTERED IN THE MARIA CRISTINA POWER SYSTEM.

For the purpose of drafting a program of industrial development centered in the Maria Cristina
power system, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by
law, do hereby create a Technical Committee composed of the following:

Mr. Filemon Rodriguez Chairman

Mr. Amado Bautista Member

Mr. Demetrio Andres Member

Dr. Marcos Alicante Member

Mr. Manuel Felizardo Member

The Committee shall prepare an integrated plan of development centered in the Maria Cristina power
system, embracing the principal industries that may be established in that area which will utilize
the power to be generated and including an economic analysis of the various industries that will be
interrelated within the power framework.

It shall also be the duty of the Committee to make a separate report on the proposal to establish an
oil refinery in the Philippines, indicating the desirable capacity and the costs involved, the relationship
with the existing industries and those that are to be established and the power requirements of the said
industries relative to the total requirements for agricultural and other enterprises.

The Committee is hereby empowered to call upon any department, bureau, office, agency or
instrumentality of the Government for such assistance, data and information as it may need in carrying
out its functions.

OFFICIAL GAZETTE

QUIRINO| Volume 5

Done in the City of Manila, this 7th day of April, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
forty-nine, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the third.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1949). Administrative Order No. 83: Creating a Technical Committee to prepare an
integrated plan of development centered in the Maria Cristina power system. Official Gazette of the
Republic of the Philippines, 45(4), 1644-1645.

MESSAGES OF THE PRESIDENT

QUIRINO | Volume 5

MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 84

AUTHORIZING THE UNIVERSAL INSURANCE AND INDEMNITY COMPANY TO
BECOME A SURETY UPON OFFICIAL RECOGNIZANCES, STIPULATIONS, BONDS AND

UNDERTAKINGS.

Whereas, the Universal Insurance and Indemnity Company is a domestic corporation organized
and existing under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines and fulfills the conditions prescribed by
said Act No. 536, as amended;

Now, therefore, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers in
me vested by law, do hereby authorize the Universal Insurance and Indemnity Company to become
a surety upon official recognizances, stipulations, bonds and undertakings in such manner and under
such conditions as are provided by law, except that the total amount of immigration bonds that it may
issue shall not, at any time, exceed its admitted assets.

OFFICIAL GAZETTE

QUIRINO| Volume 5

Done in the City of Manila, this 30th day of April, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
forty-nine, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the third.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1949). Administrative Order No. 84: Authorizing the Universal Insurance and
Indemnity Company to become a surety upon official recognizances, stipulations, bonds and
undertakings. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 45(4), 1645-1646.

MESSAGES OF THE PRESIDENT

QUIRINO | Volume 5

MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 85

AUTHORIZING THE MALAYAN INSURANCE COMPANY, INCORPORATED, TO
BECOME A SURETY UPON OFFICIAL RECOGNIZANCES, STIPULATIONS, BONDS AND

UNDERTAKINGS.

Whereas, the Malayan Insurance Company, Incorporated, is a domestic corporation organized
and existing under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines and fulfills the conditions prescribed by
said Act No. 536, as amended;

Now, therefore, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers in me
vested by law, do hereby authorize the Malayan Insurance Company, Incorporated, to become a surety
upon official recognizances, stipulations, bonds and undertakings in such manner and under such
conditions as are provided by law, except that the total amount of immigration bonds that it may issue
shall not, at any time, exceed its admitted assets.

OFFICIAL GAZETTE

QUIRINO| Volume 5

Done in the City of Baguio, this 4th day of May, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
forty-nine, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the third.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1949). Administrative Order No. 85: Authorizing the Malayan Insurance
Company, Incorporated, to become a surety upon official recognizances, stipulations, bonds and
undertakings. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 45(5), 1979-1980.

MESSAGES OF THE PRESIDENT

QUIRINO | Volume 5

MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 86

CREATING A NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO TAKE CHARGE OF THE THIRD ANNIVERSARY
CELEBRATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ON JULY 4, 1949.

Now, therefore, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested
in me by law, do hereby constitute and create a National Committee to formulate plans and devise
ways and means for the appropriate celebration of the Third Anniversary of the Republic of the
Philippines. The Committee shall be composed of the following:

Hon. Ricardo Nepomuceno ,

Hon. Primitivo Lovina

Hon. Cornelio Balmaceda ....

Hon. Asuncion A. Perez

Hon. Marciano Roque

Hon. Esteban R. Abada

Gen. Mariano N. Castaneda,

Gen. Alberto Ramos

Hon. Manuel de la Fuente...,

Mr. Vicente Carmona

Mrs. Trinidad F. Legarda

Mrs. Pilar H. Lim

Mrs. Francisca T. Benitez

Mr. Gil J. Puyat

Mr. Exequiel Villacorta

Mr. Vicente Lontok

Chairman

Member

Executive Secretary

The Committee shall meet at the call of the Chairman and for the purpose of discharging its
functions, may create such sub-committees as may be necessary.

OFFICIAL GAZETTE

QUIRINO| Volume 5

Done in the City of Manila, this 11th day of May, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
forty-nine, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the third.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1949). Administrative Order No. 86: Creating a National Committee to take charge
of the Third Anniversary celebration of the Republic of the Philippines on July 4, 1949. Official
Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 45(5), 1981.

MESSAGES OF THE PRESIDENT

QUIRINO | Volume 5

MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 87

REQUIRING MAYOR INAKI LARRAZABAL OF ORMOC CITY TO RESIGN FROM OFFICE

IMMEDIATELY

Mayor Inaki Larrazabal of Ormoc City is charged, among other things, with being arbitrary and
oppressive and with gross misconduct in office in that he ordered one Pelagio P. Codilla to be placed
in jail when he was in the office of the City Chief of Police waiting for the preparation of his bail bond
and that he assaulted right in his office one Manuel Arradaza.

The record shows that on May 27, 1948, one Pelagio P. Codilla was arrested as a result of a
criminal case for libel filed against him by the respondent. At the request of Codilla’s lawyer, the Chief
of Police agreed to allow Codilla just to stay in his office and there wait for his bail bond. However,
when the respondent saw Codilla in the office of the Chief of Police, he ordered the latter to place
Codilla in jail notwitstanding the vigorious protest of Codilla that he was not a notorious criminal and
that therefore he was not going to escape. In having thus ordered the confinement of Codilla in jail
instead of just allowing him to stay in the office of the Chief of Police, the respondent committed an
abuse of official discretion, especially so if it is considered that he himself was the complainant in the
criminal case.

With respect to the charge of gross misconduct in office, it appears that in the morning of May 1 8,
1948, one Saturnina Caacoy went to his office and reported that Manuel Arradaza, a labor inspector
of the “Leyte Labor Union,” by force and intimidation, prevented her corn from being loaded by
her houseboys. Acting on this report, the respondent sent policemen to call for Arradaza and there
treacherously boxed him. The respondent admits having laid his hand on Manuel Arradaza but claims
that he did so in view of the latter’s challenging and discourteous attitude. There can be no justification
for such act. What the respondent should have done was to order a policeman to take Arradaza out
of his office and thereafter to direct the filing in court of such criminal action as may be warranted
against Arradaza for his actuations in connection with the loading of the corn in question. In assaulting
Arradaza, the respondent not only failed to perform his sworn duty to uphold the majesty of the law
but took the law itself into his own hands, thereby bringing discredit and disrepute upon the public
service.

In view of all the foregoing, I find that the respondent is temperamentally unfit and has outlived
his usefulness as a city executive. Wherefore, he is hereby required to resign immediately from office as
Mayor of Ormoc City. If he fails to do so, he is hereby removed from office for cause.

OFFICIAL GAZETTE

QUIRINO| Volume 5

Done in the City of Manila, this 19th day of May, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
forty-nine, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the third.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1949). Administrative Order No. 87: Requiring Mayor Inaki Larrazabal of Ormoc
City to resign from office immediately. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 45(5), 1982-
1983.

MESSAGES OF THE PRESIDENT

QUIRINO | Volume 5

MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 88

CREATING A COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER THE PROPOSAL FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF
A BUILDING DEDICATED TO WAR WIDOWS AND VETERANS, THE SELECTION OF THE
SITE THEREFOR AND OTHER QUESTIONS RELATED THERETO.

A Committee is hereby created to consider the proposal for the construction of a building
dedicated to war widows and veterans, the selection of the site therefor and other questions related
thereto. The Committee shall be composed of the following:

Hon. Placido L. Mapa Chairman

Hon. Pio Joven Member

Hon. Ruperto Kangleon Member

Hon. Ricardo Nepomuceno Member

Hon. Teodoro Evangelista Member

The site to be chosen should be large enough to provide room for farming and poultry and for
other home industries that would likely yield sufficient income with which to maintain the memorial.

The Committee herein created and the committee representing the war widows and veterans and
veterans legions shall thresh out details for the preparation of a definite plan to be submitted to the
President of the Philippines. Mrs. Trinidad L. Roxas shall be advised of the plan finally decided upon.
The cost of the edifice shall be taken from the P5 6 0,0 00 raised by the Committee of Mrs. Roxas for
war widows and veterans.

Done in the City of Manila, this 19th day of May, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
forty-nine, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the third.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1949). Administrative Order No. 88: Creating a Committee to consider the proposal
for the construction of a building dedicated to war widows and veterans, the selection of the site
therefor and other questions related thereto. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 45(5),
1983-1984.

OFFICIAL GAZETTE

QUIRINO| Volume 5

MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 89

CREATING A BOARD TO TAKE CHARGE OF LISTING DESERVING GUERRILLA
ORGANIZATIONS NOT YET RECOGNIZED SO THAT A BASIS MAY BE ARRIVED AT UPON
WHICH TO ESTIMATE THE TOTAL AMOUNT NEEDED FOR THEIR BACK PAY

Whereas, there are some deserving guerrilla organizations not yet duly recognized by the proper
authorities; and

Whereas, it is desired that steps be taken with a view to enabling the members of these guerrilla
organizations to receive their back pay;

Now, therefore, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, do hereby create a Board to
take charge of listing and screening deserving guerrilla organizations not yet recognized so that a basis
may be arrived at upon which to estimate the total amount needed for their back pay. The Board shall
be composed of the following:

Hon. Ruperto Kangleon Chairman

Hon. Tomas Cabili Member

Hon. Ramon Magsaysay Member

Gen. Mariano Castaneda Member

Judge Antonio Quirino Member

Col. Amado Bautista Member

Col. Salvador Abcede Member

Done in the City of Manila, this 19th day of May, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
forty-nine, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the third.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1949). Administrative Order No. 89: Creating a Board to take charge of listing
deserving guerrilla organizations not yet recognized so that a basis may be arrived at upon which to
estimate the total amount needed for their back pay. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines,
45(5), 1984.

MESSAGES OF THE PRESIDENT

QUIRINO | Volume 5

MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 90

CREATING A COMMITTEE TO EVALUATE THE EXISTING PROPERTY UNDER THE
CUSTODY AND ADMINISTRATION OF THE SURPLUS PROPERTY COMMISSION AS WELL
AS TO CONSIDER AND STUDY THE TERMS FOR THE TURNING OVER OF SUCH PROPERTY

IN ITS ENTIRETY TO A PRIVATE SYNDICATE.

WHEREAS, it would be in the interest of the Government that the existing property under the
custody and administration of the Surplus Property Commission be turned over to a private syndicate;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ELPIDIO QUIRINO, President of the Philippines, do hereby create
a Committee to evaluate the existing property under the custody and administration of the Surplus
Property Commission as well as to consider and study the terms for the turning over of such property
in its entirety to a private syndicate. The Committee shall be composed of the following:

Hon. Pio Joven Chairman

Hon. Cornelio Balmaceda Member

Mr. Alfredo Eugenio

Col. Amado Bautista

Mr. Gregorio Licaros

Done in the City of Manila, this 19th day of May, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
forty-nine, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the third.

(SGD.) ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

(SGD.) TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1949). Administrative Order No. 90: Creating a Committee to evaluate the
existing property under the custody and administration of the Surplus Property Commission as well
as to consider and study the terms for the turning over of such property in its entirety to a private
syndicate. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 45(5), 1985.

OFFICIAL GAZETTE

QUIRINO| Volume 5

MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 91

CREATING A COMMITTEE TO STUDY THE VARIOUS ASPECTS AND PROBLEMS OF THE

RAMIE INDUSTRY.

Whereas, a plan for the development of a ramie industry in Mindanao is being seriously
considered by the Government; and

Whereas, the various aspects and problems of said industry require careful study and
consideration;

Now, therefore, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested
in me by law, do hereby create a Committee composed of the following:

Mr. Vicente Aldaba Chairman

Mr. Antonio Lejano Member

Mr. Eugenio Cruz Member

Mr. Francisco Lopez Member

Mr. Alfonso Capili Member

Dr. Eulalio P. Baltazar Member

The Committee shall make an overall study of the farm production, processing and spinning of ramie
fiber; survey the local and foreign markets for ramie products; and determine, among other things, the
desirability of establishing a Ramie Institute, defining the powers and functions thereof. It shall submit
its recommendations as soon as possible to the National Economic Council.

Done in the City of Manila, this 4th day of June, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
forty-nine, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the third.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1949). Administrative Order No. 91: Creating a Committee to study the various aspects
and problems of the ramie industry. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 45(6), 2400-2401.

MESSAGES OF THE PRESIDENT

QUIRINO | Volume 5

MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 92

AUTHORIZING THE CAPITAL INSURANCE & SURETY COMPANY, INC. TO BECOME
A SURETY UPON OFFICIAL RECOGNIZANCES, STIPULATIONS, BONDS AND

UNDERTAKINGS.

Whereas, section 1 of Act No. 536, as amended by Act No. 2206, provides that whenever any
recognizance, stipulation, bond or undertaking conditioned for the faithful performance of any duty
or of any contract made with any public authority, national, provincial, municipal, or otherwise,
or of any undertaking, or for the doing or refraining from doing anything in such recognizance,
stipulation, bond or undertaking specified, is by the laws of the Philippines or by the regulations
or resolutions of any public authority therein, required or permitted to be given with one surety
or with two or more sureties, the execution of the same or the guaranteeing of the performance
of the condition thereof shall be sufficient when executed or guaranteed solely by any corporation
organized under the laws of the Philippines, having power to guarantee the fidelity of persons
holding positions of public or private trust and to execute and guarantee bonds or undertakings in
judicial proceedings and to agree to the faithful performance of any contract or undertaking made
with any public authority;

Whereas, the Capital Insurance & Surety Company, Inc. is a domestic corporation organized
and existing under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines and fulfills the conditions prescribed by
said Act No. 536, as amended;

Now, therefore, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers in me
vested by law, hereby authorize The Capital Insurance & Surety Company, Inc. to become a surety
upon official recognizances, stipulations, bonds and undertakings in such manner and under such
conditions as provided by law, except that the total amount of immigration bonds that it may issue
shall not, at any time, exceed its admitted assets.

OFFICIAL GAZETTE

QUIRINO| Volume 5

Done in the City of Manila, this 9th day of June, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
forty-nine, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the third.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1949). Administrative Order No. 92: Authorizing the Capital Insurance &
Surety Company, Inc. to become a surety upon official recognizances, stipulations, bonds and
undertakings. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 45(6), 2401-2402.

MESSAGES OF THE PRESIDENT

QUIRINO | Volume 5

MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 93

AMENDING ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 89, DATED MAY 19, 1949, SO AS TO
INCREASE THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE COMMITTEE CREATED THEREUNDER.

By virtue of the powers vested in me by law, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, do
hereby amend Administrative Order No. 89, dated May 19, 1949, so as to increase the membership of
the Committee created thereunder as follows:

Hon. Ruperto Kangleon Chairman

Hon. Tomas Cabili Member

Hon. Ramon Magsaysay Member

Gen. Mariano Castaneda Member

Judge Antonio Quirino Member

Col. Amado Bautista Member

Col. Salvador Abcede Member

Col. Ferdinand Marcos Member

Rev. Melanie Raymundo Member

Done in the City of Manila, this 16th day of June, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
forty-nine, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the third.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1949). Administrative Order No. 93: Amending Administrative Order No. 89, dated
May 19, 1949, so as to increase the membership of the Committee created thereunder. Official Gazette
of the Republic of the Philippines, 45(6), 2403.

OFFICIAL GAZETTE

QUIRINO| Volume 5

MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 94

CREATING A COMMITTEE TO COORDINATE THE FUNCTIONS OF THE CAPITAL CITY
PLANNING COMMISSION, THE NATIONAL URBAN PLANNING COMMISSION AND THE
PEOPLE’S HOMESITE AND HOUSING CORPORATION.

A committee is hereby created for the purpose of coordinating the activities of, and eliminating
the overlapping of functions exercised by, the Capital City Planning Commission, the National Urban
Planning Commission and the People’s Homesite and Housing Corporation. The Committee shall be
composed of the following:

Hon. Ricardo Nepomuceno, Secretary of Public

Works and Communications Chairman

Hon. Jorge B. Vargas, Chairman, National Urban

Planning Commission Member

Hon. Juan M. Arellano, Chairman,

Capital City Planning Commission Member

Hon. Bienvenido M. Gonzalez, Chairman, People’s Homesite

and Housing Corporation Member

Hon. Pio Joven, Chairman, Government Quarters Committee Member and Secretary

This committee shall render its report not later than July 31, 1949.

Done in the City of Manila, this 23rd day of June, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
forty-nine, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the third.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source-. Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1949). Administrative Order No. 94: Creating a Committee to coordinate the
functions of the Capital City Planning Commission, the National Urban Planning Commission and
the People’s Homesite and Housing Corporation. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines,
45(6), 2403-2404.

MESSAGES OF THE PRESIDENT

QUIRINO | Volume 5

MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 95

MODIFYING ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 67, DATED AUGUST 12, 1948, SO AS TO
CONSIDER MR. JOSE Z. TIAPON AS HAVING RESIGNED FROM THE SERVICE AS CHIEF OF

POLICE OF THE CITY OF DAVAO.

Upon further consideration of Administrative Order No. 67, dated August 12, 1948, removing
Mr. Jose Z. Tiapon from office as Chief of Police of the City of Davao, in the light of new facts and
circumstances brought to my attention, the decision is hereby modified so as to consider Mr. Jose Z.
Tiapon as having resigned.

Done in the City of Manila, this 28th day of June, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
forty-nine, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the third.

(Sgd.) ELPIDIO QUIRINO

By the President:

(Sgd.) TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source: Malacanang Records Office

Office of the President of the Philippines. (1949). [Administrative Order Nos.: SI - 266]. Manila:
Malacanang Records Office.

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QUIRINO| Volume 5

MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 96

AMENDING THE FIRST PARAGRAPH OF ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 60, DATED
JUNE 19, 1948, ENTITLED “CREATING THE SUGAR REHABILITATION AND
READJUSTMENT COMMISSION.”

By virtue of the powers vested in me by law, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, do
hereby amend the first paragraph of Administrative Order No. 60, dated June 19, 1948, to read as
follows:

“For the purpose of advising the President on the problems affecting the rehabilitation of the
sugar industry and readjusting it to the conditions vitally affecting its existence after the expiration of
the duty-free period of eight years provided for in the Executive Agreement of July 4, 1946, between
the Philippines and the United States, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the
powers vested in me by law, do hereby create a Sugar Rehabilitation and Readjustment Commission
composed of such members as the President may appoint from time to time. The members of the
Commission who are not officers or employees of the Government shall receive such compensation as
shall be fixed by the President.”

Done in the City of Manila, this 26th day of July, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
forty-nine, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the fourth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1949). Administrative Order No. 96: Amending the first paragraph of Administrative
Order No. 60, dated June 19, 1948, entitled “Creating the Sugar Rehabilitation and Readjustment
Commission.” Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 45(7), 2752.

MESSAGES OF THE PRESIDENT

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 97

AMENDING ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 94, DATED JUNE 23, 1949, CREATING A
COMMITTEE TO COORDINATE THE FUNCTIONS OF THE CAPITAL CITY PLANNING
COMMISSION, THE NATIONAL URBAN PLANNING COMMISSION AND THE PEOPLE’S
HOMESITE AND HOUSING CORPORATION.

Administrative Order No. 94, dated June 23, 1949 entitled “Creating a committee to coordinate
the functions of the Capital City Planning Commission, the National Urban Planning Commission and
the People’s Homesite and Housing Corporation,” is hereby amended by designating the Honorable
Prospero Sanidad, Secretary of Public Works and Communications, as Chairman of the Committee, in
place of the Honorable Ricardo Nepomuceno.

Done in the City of Manila, this 30th day of July, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
forty-nine, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the fourth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source-. Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1949). Administrative Order No. 97: Amending Administrative Order No. 94,
dated June 23, 1949, creating a Committee to coordinate the functions of the Capital City Planning
Commission, the National Urban Planning Commission and the People’s Homesite and Housing
Corporation. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 45(7), 2753.

OFFICIAL GAZETTE

QUIRINO| Volume 5

MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 98

REMOVING THE DISQUALIFICATION OF FORMER JUSTICE OF THE PEACE CRISPIN
LABARIA OF OROQUIETA, OCCIDENTAL MISAMIS, FROM HOLDING ANY PUBLIC OFFICE.

Crispin Labaria who was dismissed, for cause, from the office of Justice of the Peace of Oroquieta,
Occidental Misamis, on November 2, 1936, and disqualified from holding any public office, prays that
his disqualification be removed.

The Secretary of Justice recommends that the petition be granted.

In view thereof, and considering the length of time that Mr. Labaria has been disqualified from
holding any public office, the disqualification imposed upon him is hereby removed, subject to the
condition that he shall not be reappointed to any position in the judicial branch of the Government.

Done in the City of Manila, this 20th day of August, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and forty-nine, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the fourth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1949). Administrative Order No. 98: Removing the disqualification of former Justice
of the Peace Crispin Labaria of Oroquieta, Occidental Misamis, from holding any public office. Official
Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 45(8), 3184-3185.

MESSAGES OF THE PRESIDENT

QUIRINO | Volume 5

MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 99

APPOINTING THE HONORABLE RAMON FERNANDEZ, FORMER SENATOR, AS MEMBER

OF THE COUNCIL OF STATE.

Pursuant to the provisions of Executive Order No. 5, dated July 12, 1946, I, Elpidio Quirino,
President of the Philippines, do hereby appoint the Honorable Ramon Fernandez, former Senator as
member of the Council of State.

Done in the City of Manila, this 31st day of August, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and forty-nine, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the fourth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1949). Administrative Order No. 99: Appointing the Honorable Ramon Fernandez,
former Senator, as member of the Council of State. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines,
45(8), 3185.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 100

APPOINTING GENERAL EMILIO AGUINALDO AS MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL OF STATE

Pursuant to the provisions of Executive Order No. 5, dated July 12, 1946, I, Elpidio Quirino,
President of the Philippines, do hereby appoint General Emilio Aguinaldo as member of the Council of
State.

Done in the City of Manila, this 2nd day of September, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and forty-nine, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the fourth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1949). Administrative Order No. 100: Appointing General Emilio Aguinaldo as
member of the Council of State. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 45(9), 3750-3751.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 101

GRANTING FULL AND PLENARY PARDON TO MATIAS CUADRA, FORMER CAPTAIN OF
THE CHAPLAIN SERVICE, 4TH REPL. BN., PHILIPPINE ARMY.

Matias Cuadra, former Captain of the Chaplain Service, 4th Repl. Bn., Philippine Army, who was
dismissed from the military service on May 9, 1947, for having been convicted by a General Court
Martial, Philippine Army, of violation of the 97th Article of War (delivering speeches and making
utterances derogatory to his oath of allegiance to the Government), prays that he be granted full and
plenary pardon.

The Secretary of National Defense recommends that the petition be granted.

In view thereof, Matias Cuadra is hereby granted full and plenary pardon.

Done in the City of Manila, this 8th day of September, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and forty-nine, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the fourth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source-. Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1949). Administrative Order No. 101: Granting full and plenary pardon to Matias
Cuadra, former Captain of the Chaplain Service, 4th Repl. Bn., Philippine Army. Official Gazette of
the Republic of the Philippines, 45(9), 3751.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 102

AMENDING ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 50, DATED APRIL 8, 1948, ENTITLED
“AUTHORIZING THE PAYMENT OF THE ACCUMULATED PENSIONS FOR ONE YEAR OF
THE RETIRED TEACHERS OUT OF THE ASSETS OF THE TEACHERS’ RETIREMENT AND
DISABILITY FUND, OF THE RETIRED CONSTABULARY OFFICERS AND ENLISTED MEN,
HEALTH OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES, AND JUSTICES OF THE SUPREME COURT FROM
ANY FUND IN THE PHILIPPINE TREASURY NOT OTHERWISE APPROPRIATED, AND OF
THE VETERANS OF PAST PHILIPPINE REVOLUTIONS OR WARS FROM THE UNEXPENDED
BALANCE OF THE APPROPRIATION UNDER COMOMNWEALTH ACT NO. 710, AND THE
DISCOUNTING WITH THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL BANK OF THE BALANCE OF THE
ACCUMULATED PENSIONS OF THE RETIRED TEACHERS, CONSTABULARY OFFICERS
AND ENLISTED MEN, HEALTH OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES, JUSTICES OF THE SUPREME
COURT, AND VETERANS OF PAST PHILIPPINE REVOLUTIONS OR WARS.”

By virtue of the powers vested in me by law, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, do
hereby amend paragraph (4) of Administrative Order No. 50, dated April 8, 1948, to read as follows:

“(4) The balance of the accumulated pensions of the retired teachers,
constabulary officers and enlisted men, health officials and employees, Justices of
the Supreme Court and veterans of past Philippine revolutions or wars may be
discounted with the Philippine National Bank at such interest rate per annum as
the Board of Directors of said Bank may approve, the total amount discounted
to be paid by the Government to the Bank in five yearly installments: Provided,
however, That if such balance of the accumulated pensions does not exceed P90,
the same may also be paid from their respective funds as set forth in paragraphs
(1), (2) and (3) hereof.”

This Order shall take effect immediately.

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Done in the City of Manila, this 8th day of September, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and forty-nine, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the fourth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1949). Administrative Order No. 102: Amending Administrative Order No. 50,
dated April 8, 1948, entitled “Authorizing the payment of the accumulated pensions for one year
of the retired teachers out of the assets of the teachers’ retirement and disability fund, of the retired
constabulary officers and enlisted men, health officials and employees, and Justices of the Supreme
Court from any fund in the Philippine Treasury not otherwise appropriated, and of the veterans
of past Philippine revolutions or wars from the unexpended balance of the appropriation under
Commonwealth Act No. 710, and the discounting with the Philippine National Bank of the balance
of the accumulated pensions of the retired teachers, constabulary officers and enlisted men, health
officials and employees, Justices of the Supreme Court, and veterans of past Philippine revolutions or
wars. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 45(9), 3751-3752.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 103

REINSTATING MR. ASAAD USMAN IN THE SERVICE AS JUSTICE OF THE PEACE OF SIASI
AND TAPUL, PROVINCE OF SULU, WITH THE RIGHT TO COLLECT HIS SALARY DURING

THE PERIOD OF HIS SUSPENSION.

This is an administrative case against Mr. Asaad Usman, Justice of the Peace of Siasi and Tapul,
province of Sulu, on the following charges:

1 . That through deceit and preconceived intent to exploit the persons accused before the justice of
the peace court of Siasi, he demanded money from the accused and their relatives, promising to acquit
said accused or to dismiss the cases against them upon payment of the amount demanded;

2. That he settles criminal cases pending in his court by imposing fines extrajudically and that he
profits therefrom;

3. That motivated by revenge, he willfully promised to dismiss a criminal case, provided the
accused would sign an affidavit implicating the chief of police of Siasi in a bribery case, thus inducing
persons to make false statements;

4. That he maliciously delayed the trial or preliminary hearing of criminal cases for several
months for the purpose of exploiting the accused or their relatives;

5. That he falsely stated in his order, dated June 26, 1947, in criminal case No. 90 that the
prosecuting officer and the accused were present and introduced evidence, when in fact the prosecuting
officer (the chief of police) was never notified of the trial and was never present when the case was tried
and that the accused pleaded guilty without any trial;

6. That he is keeping a woman in his house by the name of Emma Gonzales whom he holds out
as his wife, when in fact his wife by the name of Dominga Usman is in Manila; and

7. That he is ignorant of the law and maliciously approved the bail bond of the accused charged
with robbery in band with murder in the amount of only P3,000 notwithstanding the circular of the
Department of Justice on the matter.

Charges Nos. 2 and 4 were withdrawn during the hearing, in view of which the investigation was
limited to Charges Nos. 1, 3, 5, 6 and 7. After a careful consideration of the evidence adduced, this
Office finds that Charges Nos. 1, 3, 5 and 6 have not been established.

With respect to Charge No. 7, it appears that in criminal case No. 66 for robbery in band with
murder against Jailani et. als., the respondent approved the bail bond in the amount of P3,000 each
for three of the accused and PI, 000 each for the other two accused. Considering the nature of the
crime charged and the fact that under circular No. 47 of the Secretary of Justice, dated June 5, 1946,
provincial fiscals and city attorneys are directed to recommend to the judge that bail should be fixed at
the rate of P2,000 for every year of imprisonment, this Office finds that the bail fixed by the respondent
was manifestly inadequate.

Respondent claims that he allowed the accused to be bailed at P3,000 each because, the evidence
against them was not, in his opinion, very strong — a fact borne out by the subsequent dismissal of
the case in the Court of First Instance of Sulu. Nevertheless, this fact will not excuse the act of the

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respondent as the amount of the bail must be determined primarily by the gravity of the offense
charged and not by the strength of the evidence against the accused.

The respondent also claims that inasmuch as the assessment of real properties in Sulu is very
low, the amount of P.3,000 fixed by him, which represents the assessed valuation of the properties
offered as security, is reasonable and sufficient to guarantee the appearance of the accused; that if a
high bail is required, the result will be to place it beyond the reach of most persons because of the
low assessment of real properties in Sulu and the absence of bonding companies thereat; and that this
would be tantamount to a denial of the right to bail guaranteed by the Constitution. While there may
be some merit in this argument, the same does not justify the granting of a bail manifestly insufficient
to secure the appearance of the accused in court. That the respondent realized his error in approving
the bail in question is shown by the fact that on April 12, 1948, or after the filing of Charge No. 7
against him, he motu proprio issued an order for the arrest of the accused in criminal case No. 66 and
required them to post bail in the amount of P30,000 each for their temporary release.

In view of all the foregoing, the respondent is hereby exonerated from charges Nos. 1, 3, 5 and 6.
With respect to charge No. 7, in the light of the mitigating circumstances above narrated, he is hereby
admonished to exercise more care in performing his duties. Wherefore, respondent Asaad Usman is
hereby ordered reinstated immediately as justice of the peace of Siasi and Tapul, Province of Sulu, with
the right to collect his salary during the period of his suspension.

Done in the City of Manila, this 4th day of October, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and forty-nine, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the fourth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source-. Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1949). Administrative Order No. 103: Reinstating Mr. Asaad Usman in the service as
Justice of the Peace of Siasi and Tapul, Province of Sulu, with the right to collect his salary during the
period of his suspension. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 45(10), 4245-4246.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 104

AMENDING ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 76 CREATING A COMMITTEE TO IMPLEMENT
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 145, DATED JUNE 19, 1948, AS AMENDED BY EXECUTIVE ORDER
NO. 190, DATED DECEMBER 16, 1948, CONCERNING THE COLLECTION OF VOLUNTARY
CONTRIBUTIONS FROM PUPILS AND STUDENTS ENROLLED IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE
ELEMENTARY, SECONDARY AND COLLEGIATE SCHOOLS WITH WHICH TO FINANCE THE
RESTORATION OF THE RIZAL HOME IN CALAMBA, LAGUNA, AND DAPITAN PARK IN

ZAMBOANGA.

By virtue of the powers vested in me by law, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, do
hereby create a Committee composed of the following:

Hon. Prudencio Langcauon Chairman

Hon. Manuel Lim Vice Chairman

Dr. Manuel L. Carreon Member

Hon. Dominador Chipeco Member

Mr. Juan F. Nakpil Member

Mr. Benito Pangilinan Member

Mr. Joaquin de San Agustin Member

Dr. Herminio Velarde Member

Provincial Governor of Zamboanga Member

The Committee is hereby authorized to take charge of the campaign in public and private schools
for funds with which to finance the restoration of the Rizal home in Calamba, Laguna, and of Dapitan
Park in Zamboanga in accordance with Executive Order No. 145, dated June 19, 1948, as amended by
Executive Order No. 190, dated December 16, 1948. For this purpose, it may publish and disseminate
such educational materials as may be useful or desirable to make the pupils and students in schools
understand the purpose of the campaign or otherwise appreciate fully its significance.

On the basis of the total collection, and whatever additional sum the Government may
appropriate and assign therefor, the Committee is further empowered to undertake and supervise
the construction of the two projects, waiving all existing rules and regulations on government bids
and awards for public constructions, in order that the said projects may be completed in the most
expeditious and convenient manner.

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Done in the City of Manila, this 21st day of October, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and forty-nine, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the fourth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source : Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1949). Administrative Order No. 104: Amending Administrative Order No. 76
creating a Committee to implement Executive Order No. 145, dated June 19, 1948, as amended
by Executive Order No. 190, dated December 16, 1948, concerning the collection of voluntary
contributions from pupils and students enrolled in public and private elementary, secondary and
collegiate schools with which to finance the restoration of the Rizal home in Calamba, Laguna, and
Dapitan Park in Zamboanga. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 45(10), 4247-4248.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 105

FURTHER AMENDING ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 89, DATED MAY 19, 1949, AS
AMENDED BY ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 93, DATED JUNE 16, 1949.

By virtue of the powers vested in me by law, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines,
do hereby further amend Administrative Order No, 89, dated May 19, 1949, as amended by
Administrative Order No. 93, dated June 16, 1949, by changing the membership of the Committee
created thereunder as follows:

Hon. Ruperto Kangleon Chairman

Hon. Ramon Magsaysay Member

Gen. Mariano Castaneda

Judge Antonio Quirino

Col. Amado Bautista

Col. Salvador Abcede

Col. Ferdinand Marcos

Maj. Busran Kalaw

Rev. Melanio Raymundo

Done in the City of Manila, this 12th day of December, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and forty-nine, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the fourth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Assistant Executive Secretary

Quirino, E. (1949). Administrative Order No. 105: Further amending Administrative Order No. 89,
dated May 19, 1949, as amended by Administrative Order No. 93, dated June 16, 1949. Official
Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 45(12), 5367-5368.

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MALACANANG

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BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 106

CREATING A COMMITEE TO TAKE CHARGE OF THE INAUGURATION OF THE PRESIDENT
AND THE VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES ON DECEMBER 30, 1949.

By virtue of the powers vested in me by law, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, do
hereby create a Committee to take charge of the inauguration of the President and the Vice-President
of the Philippines on December 30, 1949. The Committee shall be composed of the following:

Hon. Eugenio Perez

Hon. Mariano J. Cuenco ....

Hon. Sotero Baluyut

Hon. Pio Pedrosa

Hon. Prospero Sanidad

Hon. Prudencio Langcauon

Hon. Primitivo Lovina

Hon. Ruperto Kangleon

Hon. Marciano Roque

Mr. V. Lontok

Co-Chairman

Member

Executive Secretary

The Committee shall meet at the call of either of the Co-Chairman and, for the purpose of discharging
its functions, may create such subcommittees as may be necessary.

The Committee is hereby empowered to call upon any department, bureau, office, agency
or instrumentality of the Government for such assistance, data and information as it may need in
discharging its duties.

Done in the City of Manila, this 16th day of December, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and forty-nine, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the fourth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Assistant Executive Secretary

Source-. Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1949). Administrative Order No. 106: Creating a Committee to take charge of the
inauguration of the President and the Vice-President of the Philippines on December 30, 1949. Official
Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 45(12), 5368.

OFFICIAL GAZETTE

QUIRINO| Volume 5

MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 107

AUTHORIZING THE STATE BONDING & INSURANCE COMPANY, INC., TO BECOME
A SURETY UPON OFFICIAL RECOGNIZANCES, STIPULATIONS, BONDS AND

UNDERTAKINGS.

Whereas, section 1 of Act No. 536, as amended by Act No. 2206, provides that whenever any
recognizance, stipulation, bond or undertaking conditioned for the faithful performance of any duty
or of any contract made with any public authority, national, provincial, municipal, or otherwise, or of
any undertaking, or for the doing or refraining from doing anything in such recognizance, stipulation,
bond or undertaking specified, is, by the laws of the Philippines or by the regulations or resolutions of
any public authority therein, required or permitted to be given with one surety or with two or more
sureties, the execution of the same or the guaranteeing of the performance of the condition thereof
shall be sufficient when executed or guaranteed solely by any corporation organized under the laws of
the Philippines, having power to guarantee the fidelity of persons holding positions of public or private
trust and to execute and guarantee bonds or undertakings in judicial proceedings and to agree to the
faithful performance of any contract or undertaking made with any public authority;

Whereas, said section further provides that no head of department, court, judge, officer, board,
or body executive, legislative or judicial shall approve or accept any corporation as surety on any
recognizance, stipulation, bond, contract, or undertaking, unless such corporation has been authorized
to do business in the Philippines in the manner provided by the provisions of said Act No. 536, as
amended, nor unless such corporation has by contract with the Government of the Philippines been
authorized to become a surety upon official recognizances, stipulations, bonds and undertakings; and

Whereas, the State Bonding & Insurance Company, Inc. is a domestic corporation organized
and existing under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines and fulfills the conditions prescribed by
said Act No. 536, as amended;

Now, therefore, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers in me
vested by law, do hereby authorize the State Bonding & Insurance Company, Inc. to become a
surety upon official recognizances, stipulations, bonds and undertakings in such manner and under
such conditions as are provided by law, except that the total amount of immigration bonds that it may
issue shall not, at any time, exceed its admitted assets.

MESSAGES OF THE PRESIDENT

QUIRINO | Volume 5

Done in the City of Manila, this 6th day of January, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the fourth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1950). Administrative Order No. 107: Authorizing the State Bonding & Insurance
Company, Inc., to become a surety upon official recognizances, stipulations, bonds and undertakings.
Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 46(1), 13-14.

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BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 108

AUTHORIZING THE MANILA UNDERWRITERS INSURANCE COMPANY, INC. TO
BECOME A SURETY UPON OFFICIAL RECOGNIZANCES, STIPULATIONS, BONDS AND

UNDERTAKINGS.

Whereas, section 1 of Act No. 536, as amended by Act No. 2206, provides that whenever any
recognizance, stipulation, bond or undertaking conditioned for the faithful performance of any duty
or of any contract made with any public authority national, provincial, municipal, or otherwise, or of
any undertaking, or for the doing or refraining from doing anything in such recognizance, stipulation,
bond or undertaking specified, is, by the laws of the Philippines or by the regulations or resolutions of
any public authority therein, required or permitted to be given with one surety or with two or more
sureties, the execution of the same or the guaranteeing of the performance, of the condition thereof
shall be sufficient when executed or guaranteed solely by any corporation organized under the laws of
the Philippines, having power to guarantee the fidelity of persons holding positions of public or private
trust and to execute and guarantee bonds or undertakings in judicial proceedings and to agree to the
faithful performance of any contract or undertaking made with any public authority;

Whereas, said section further provides that no head of department, court, judge, officer, board,
or body executive, legislative, or judicial shall approve or accept any corporation as surety on any
recognizance, stipulation, bond, contract, or undertaking, unless such corporation has been authorized
to do business in the Philippines in the manner provided by the provisions of said Act No. 536, as
amended, nor unless such corporation has by contract with the Government of the Philippines been
authorized to become a surety upon official recognizances, stipulations, bonds and undertakings; and

Whereas, the Manila Underwriters Insurance Company, Inc. is a domestic corporation
organized and existing under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines and fulfills the conditions
prescribed by said Act No. 536, as amended;

Now, Therefore, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers in me
vested by law, do hereby authorize the Manila Underwriters Insurance Company, Inc. to become a
surety upon official recognizances, stipulations, bonds and undertakings in such manner and under
such conditions as are provided by law, except that the total amount of immigration bonds that it may
issue shall not, at any time, exceed its admitted assets.

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Done in the City of Manila, this 6th day of January, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the fourth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1950). Administrative Order No. 108: Authorizing the Manila Underwriters
Insurance Company, Inc. to become a surety upon official recognizances, stipulations, bonds and
undertakings. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 46(1), 14-15.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 109

CREATING A COMMISSION TO ASSIST THE PRESIDENT IN REORGANIZING THE
DIFFERENT EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS, BUREAUS, OFFICES, AGENCIES AND
INSTRUMENTALITIES OF THE GOVERNMENT, INCLUDING THE CORPORATIONS OWNED
OR CONTROLLED BY IT, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 422.

Whereas, it is urgently necessary that the reorganization contemplated in Republic Act No. 422
be carried out as expeditiously as possible;

Now, therefore, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested
in me by law, do hereby create a reorganization commission which shall be composed of the following:

Hon. Ramon Fernandez, Chairman

Hon. Luis P. Torres, Member

Hon. Pio Joven, Member

Hon. Jose Paez, Member

Hon. Teofilo Sison, Member

Hon. H. B. Reyes, Member

Hon. Pablo Lorenzo, Member

Hon. Aurelio Montinola, Member

Hon. Jose Gil, Member and Executive Officer

The Commission shall make a factual survey of the Government, and shall submit such reforms
and changes in the different executive departments, bureaus, agencies, boards, commissions, offices and
other instrumentalities thereof, including all corporations owned or controlled by the Government,
as it may deem proper and necessary to effect and promote simplicity, economy and efficiency in the
government service, pursuant to the policy declared in said Act. The Commission shall submit its report
and recommendation not later than six months from the issuance of this Order.

In the performance of its work, the Commission may secure the services of such officers and
employees of any department, bureau, agency, board, commission, office or instrumentality of the
Government, whose assistance it may require in accomplishing its task.

The Commission or its duly authorized representative shall, for the purpose of securing needed
data and information, have access to, and have the right to examine, any books, documents, papers
or records of the executive departments, bureaus, agencies, boards, commissions, offices and other
instrumentalities of the Government, and to summon witnesses and any official or employee of the
Government.

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Done in the City of Manila, this 28th day of February, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the fourth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1950). Administrative Order No. 109: Creating a commission to assist the President
in reorganizing the different executive departments, bureaus, offices, agencies and instrumentalities of
the government, including the corporations owned or controlled by it, pursuant to the provisions of
Republic Act No. 422. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 46(2), 398-399.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 110

AUTHORIZING THE EMPIRE INSURANCE COMPANY TO BECOME A SURETY UPON
OFFICIAL RECOGNIZANCES, STIPULATIONS, BONDS AND UNDERTAKINGS.

Whereas, section 1 of Act No. 536, as amended by Act No. 2206, provides that whenever any
recognizance, stipulation, bond or undertaking conditioned for the faithful performance of any duty
or of any contract made with any public authority, national, provincial, municipal, or otherwise, or of
any undertaking, or for the doing or refraining from doing anything in such recognizance, stipulation,
bond or undertaking specified, is, by the laws of the Philippines or by the regulations or resolutions of
any public authority therein, required or permitted to be given with one surety or with two or more
sureties, the execution of the same or guaranteeing of the performance, of the condition thereof shall
be sufficient when executed or guaranteed solely by any corporation organized under the laws of the
Philippines, having power to guarantee the fidelity of persons holding positions of public or private
trust and to execute and guarantee bonds or undertakings in judicial proceedings and to agree to the
faithful performance of any contract or undertaking made with any public authority;

Whereas, said section further provides that no head of department, court, judge, officer, board,
or body executive, legislative or judicial shall approve or accept any corporation as surety on any
recognizance, stipulation, bond, contract, or undertaking, unless such corporation has been authorized
to do business in the Philippines in the manner provided by the provisions of said Act No. 536, as
amended, nor unless such corporation has by contract with the Government of the Philippines been
authorized to become surety upon official recognizances, stipulations, bonds and undertakings; and

Whereas, the Empire Insurance Company is a domestic corporation organized and existing
under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines and fulfills the conditions prescribed by said Act No.
536, as amended;

Now, therefore, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers in me
vested by law, do hereby authorize the Empire Insurance Company to become a surety upon official
recognizances, stipulations, bonds and undertaking in such manner and under such conditions as are
provided by law, except that the total amount of immigration bonds that it may issue shall not, at any
time exceed its admitted assets.

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Done in the City of Manila, this 28th day of February, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the fourth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1950). Administrative Order No. 110: Authorizing the Empire Insurance Company
to become a surety upon official recognizances, stipulations, bonds and undertakings. Official Gazette
of the Republic of the Philippines, 46(2), 399-400.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. Ill

FURTHER AMENDING PARAGRAPH 4 OF ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 41, DATED
JUNE 17, 1946, ENTITLED “CREATING THE PHILIPPINE COMMITTEE OF FOOD AND
AGRICULTURE,” AS AMENDED BY ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 39, DATED JULY 12, 1947.

The fourth paragraph of Administrative Order No. 41, dated June 17, 1946, as amended by
Administrative Order No. 39, dated July 12, 1947, as hereby further amended to read as follows:

“The Philippine Committee of Food and Agriculture shall be composed of a Chairman and
an Executive Secretary, to be appointed by the President; a representative each on crop production,
livestock production, forestry, fisheries, agricultural engineering and soil conservation, to be designated
by the Secretary of Agriculture and Natural Resources; a representative on irrigation, to be designated
by the Secretary of Public Works and Communications; two representatives on human nutrition, one to
be designated by the Secretary of Health, and one by the Chairman of the Institute of Nutrition Board;
a representative each on animal nutrition and economics of agriculture, to designated by the President
of the University of the Philippines; three representatives on food utilization, one to be designated by
the President of the University of the Philippines, one by the Secretary of Education, and one by the
Secretary of Agriculture and Natural Resources and two representatives of the Philippine Farmers
Association.”

Done in the City of Manila, this 3rd day of March, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the fourth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1950). Administrative Order No. Ill: Further amending paragraph 4 of
Administrative Order No. 41, dated June 17, 1946, entitled “Creating the Philippine Committee of
Food and Agriculture,” as amended by Administrative Order No. 39, dated July 12, 1947. Official
Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 46(3), 899-900.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 112

REMOVING MR. FRANCISCO MARTINEZ FROM OFFICE AS PROVINCIAL

TREASURER OF LEYTE

Mr. Francisco Martinez, Provincial Treasurer of Leyte, is charged with the following irregularities:

1. That respondent personally dealt with, and delivered to, Manila merchants requisitions for
supplies, materials and equipment contrary to existing regulations;

2. That he made purchases of supplies, etc., from Manila merchants without public bidding or the
intervention of the Procurement Office;

3. That he was extremely careless and negligent in passing payments for articles at exceedingly
high prices;

4. That he purchased printed forms at exorbitant prices without previous authority;

5. That he purchased school supplies without the approval of the proper authorities;

6. That he purchased and accumulated a huge stock of supplies and materials worth the enormous
sum of P2,727, 552.56; and 7. That in acquiring this big stock of supplies and materials, he used public
and private trust funds.

After going over the record of this case, I find that charges Nos. 1, 4, and 7 have been satisfactorily
explained.

With respect to charges Nos. 2 and 3, the respondent denies that the supplies and materials in
question were purchased without public bidding or the intervention of the Procurement Office. He
claims that the vouchers covering payments thereof were “supported by a letter or endorsement of
that Office showing the Manila price of the articles or the reasonableness of the price as shown in said
letter or indorsement, except in the case of requisitions showing the prices opposite the corresponding
articles on the face of such requisitions and which * * * already bore the approval of the Department
of Finance when the same were submitted to the respondent for consideration.” He also states that
payment for the articles was made after the corresponding vouchers had been passed in audit by the
auditor, and he had no reason to suspect that the latter would not allow strictly his duties in passing
upon the vouchers submitted to him for preaudit; that most of the requisitions for supplies already
bore, as stated above, the approval of the Department of Finance when they were presented to him
for the first time, accompanied even in certain cases with personal letters or telegrams of highly placed
officials in the General Auditing Office urging favorable action; and that despite pressure from above,
he exerted efforts to protect the interest of the Government as shown by the fact that he had stricken
out certain articles or reduced the quantities thereof.

I find respondent’s explanation of these charges not entirely satisfactory. Considering the large
quantities of the supplies and materials involved with value running into millions of pesos, even if
pressure had been brought to bear upon him, he should have exercised extreme care in making the
purchases for the province. The advance approval of most of the reguisitions by the proper official
in the Department of Finance should have warned him that there might be something irregular in it.
Respondent did not go far enough in protecting the interest of the province.

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Respondent admits charge No. 5 but explains that a requisition for these school supplies was
originally made by the academic supervisor then in charge of the Division of Leyte; that subsequently
the items called for therein were transcribed in another requisition, possibly by the dealer, for the
signature of respondent; that as he was not then in Tacloban, the reguisition was apparently brought
to Manila; that the goods were shipped to Manila; that the goods were later shipped to Leyte, and the
requisition accompanying the dealer’s bill already carried the unqualified approval of the Department
of Finance. He further explains that he signed the requisition and approved the vouchers covering
payment of the articles after said vouchers had been initialed by the property clerk and the bookkeeper
of his office; that these vouchers were duly preaudited; and that he should not be expected to go
beyond the action of his superior and that of a coordinate official to inquire into the motives that
inspired their actuation.

I consider respondent’s explanation unsatisfactory. The action by the other officials and employees
cited by respondent cannot take the place of that which the regulations require should be done by
the Director of Public Schools, the Secretary of Education and the Property Requisition Committee.
Respondent simply overlooked these regulations, compliance with which would have saved him from
this charge.

As regards charge No. 6 respondent explains that the advance approval by the Department of
Finance of the corresponding requisitions prepared in Manila without his knowledge as requisitioning
official led him to believe that there was need for a substantial stock of supplies to insure the
continuous operation of the different governmental units of the province, demanded evidently by the
prevailing conditions in the province and the strained relations between the United States and Russia,
although he reduced the quantities of certain articles and struck out those not needed by the province.
He further explains that he referred the vouchers covering payment of the articles to the property clerk
for determination of the need therefor and had said vouchers submitted to the auditor for preaudit
before effecting payment.

While the steps taken by respondent could be considered sufficient under ordinary circumstances,
the unusual quantities of supplies and materials called for in the requisitions allegedly approved in
advance by the corresponding official of the Department of Finance should have given him cause to
doubt the motives that inspired such premature approval, and the supposed pressure exerted by high
officials of the National Government that he expedite payment to the dealers should have been brought
to the attention at least of the Secretary of Finance for his information and appropriate action.

The foregoing shows that respondent was grossly negligent in the performance of his official
duties as a result of which the Province of Leyte suffered losses estimated at more than two million
pesos arising from his improvident purchase of supplies and materials in quantities far beyond the need
of the province and at prices very much higher than those prevailing or considered reasonable.

Wherefore, Mr. Francisco Martinez is hereby removed from office as Provincial Treasurer of
Leyte.

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Done in the City of Baguio, this 29th day of March, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the fourth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1950). Administrative Order No. 112: Removing Mr. Francisco Martinez from office
as Provincial Treasurer of Leyte. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 46(3), 900-902.

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MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 113

PLACING CONSTABULARY UNITS IN LUZON UNDER OPERATIONAL CONTROL OF

COMMANDING GENERAL, AFP.

There being an urgent necessity of taking effective measures to combat lawlessness, disorder and
violence in certain troubled areas of Luzon, and of coordinating and placing under one command all
operations against dissident elements therein, I, ELPIDIO QUIRINO, President of the Philippines, by
virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby place all Philippine Constabulary units presently
stationed in all provinces of the Island of Luzon under the operational control of the Commanding
General, Armed Forces of the Philippines, effective April 1, 1950, and for the duration of the present
disturbed condition of peace and order in said area.

Done in the City of Baguio this 1st day of April, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
fifty, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the fourth.

(Sgd.) ELPIDIO QUIRINO

By the President:

(Sgd.) TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source: Malacanang Records Office

Office of the President of the Philippines. (1950). [Administrative Order Nos.: 51 - 266]. Manila:
Malacanang Records Office.

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MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 114

FURTHER AMENDING ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 89, DATED MAY 19, 1949, AS
AMENDED BY ADMINISTRATIVE ORDERS NOS. 93 AND 105, DATED JUNE 16, 1949 AND

DECEMBER 12, 1949, RESPECTIVELY.

By virtue of the powers vested in me by law, I, ELPIDIO QUIRINO, President of the Philippines,
do hereby further amend Administrative Order No. 89, dated May 19, 1949, as amended by
Administrative Orders Nos. 93 and 105, dated June 16, 1949 and December 12, 1949, respectively, by
changing the membership of the Committee created thereunder as follows:

Hon. Ruperto Kangleon Chairman

Hon. Ramon Magsaysay Member

Hon. Ferdinand Marcos

Gen. Mariano Castaneda

Col. Agustin Marking

Col. Amado Bautista

Col. Salvador Abcede

Maj. Busran Kalaw

Rev. Melanio Raymundo

Done in the City of Baguio this 21st day of April, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
fifty, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the fourth.

(Sgd.) ELPIDIO QUIRINO

By the President:

(Sgd.) TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source: Malacanang Records Office

Office of the President of the Philippines. (1950). [Administrative Order Nos.: SI - 266]. Manila:
Malacanang Records Office.

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MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 115

AMENDING ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 109, DATED FEBRUARY 28, 1950, ENTITLED
“CREATING A COMMISSION TO ASSIST THE PRESIDENT IN REORGANIZING THE
DIFFERENT EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS, BUREAUS, OFFICES, AGENCIES AND
INSTRUMENTALITIES OF THE GOVERNMENT, INCLUDING THE CORPORATION OWNED
OR CONTROLLED BY IT, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 422.”

By virtue of the powers vested in me by law, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, do
hereby amend Administrative Order No. 109, dated February 28, 1950, by inserting, between the
penultimate and the last paragraphs thereof, the following paragraph:

“The Chairman and the members of the Commission who are not otherwise officials or employees
of the Government shall be entitled to a per diem for each meeting actually attended at the rates of P30
for the Chairman and P25 for each member.”

Done in the City of Baguio, this 30th day of April, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
fifty, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the fourth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1950). Administrative Order No. 115: Amending Administrative Order No. 109, dated
February 28, 1950, entitled “Creating a commission to assist the President in reorganizing the different
executive departments, bureaus, offices, agencies and instrumentalities of the government, including
the corporation owned or controlled by it, pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act No. 422.”
Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 46(4), 1493.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 116

REPRIMANDING REGISTER OF DEEDS SOFRONIO M. FLORES OF ILOILO

This is an administrative case against Mr. Sofronio M. Flores, Register of Deeds of Iloilo, who
stands charged with inefficiency in the discharge of his official duties.

It appears that on July 8, 1948, the General Land Registration Office called the attention of the
respondent to the fact that his abstracts of collections for the months of July, 1947, to June, 1948,
had not yet been received by that office and accordingly requested him to submit the same as soon as
possible. This request was reiterated on August 16, 1948. On September 17, 1948, said office learned
from the City Auditor of Iloilo that the abstracts corresponding to the period from July, 1946, to June 30,
1947, although already verified by the latter, were still kept in the office of the respondent and not
mailed to the central office for no apparent reason whatsoever. It also learned that the respondent
was not submitting to the auditor his monthly abstracts as they fell due but was allowing them to
accumulate in his office. On September 30, 1948, the General Land Registration Office, besides
informing him of the matters brought out by the city auditor, asked him to exert efforts to have the
abstracts submitted for auditing purposes immediately after the end of each calendar month and not
later than the fifth of the succeeding month and reminded him that his practice was in violation of
accounting and auditing regulations. Abstracts for other months also fell due, and letters were likewise
sent to him to forward them together with those previously called for. Said requests, however, remained
unattended to until he was required to show cause why he should not be dealt with administratively.

It also appears that as of September 7, 1949, a total of 27 back reports — some of which even
pertained to 1946 — had not been received by the central office. The respondent was accordingly
warned that failure on his part to submit them on or before September 30, 1949, would cause the
institution of administrative proceedings for his removal from the service unless satisfactory reasons be
given for his failure to do so.

On September 30, 1949, the deadline for submitting the abstracts, the respondent informed the
General Land Registration Office that the same had already been forwarded to it and at the same time
submitted the following explanation: That owing to the last war the records, documents, titles, etc.,
of his office were in disorder after liberation; that as the office was leaking during rainy days, they
had to move from one place to another in order to save important papers; that after liberation there
was a mad rush for the reconstitution of records and, with his limited personnel, they had to give
preference to the immediate need of the public, such as the issuance of titles to facilitate mortgages
and other transactions, in line with the policy of the Government to enhance the rehabilitation and
reconstruction of the country; that his office is handicapped by a shortage of office equipment, and the
only typewriter with a long carriage, which is needed in the preparation of said abstracts, was being
used for the annotation of entries on the certificates of title; that in the submission of said abstracts the
intervention of the auditing office is also required; that they verbally called the attention of the one in
charge to the pendency of said abstracts to be audited but that the latter replied that their office was

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also undermanned, etc.; and that the delay in the submission of these abstracts was not intentional nor
wilfull but due to circumstances beyond his control.

Respondent’s explanation is far from satisfactory. It is seen that the delay in the submission
of his abstracts was partly due to the fact that he allowed them to accumulate in his office instead
of submitting them for auditing purposes as they fell due. While the auditing process might have
contributed in some way to the delay, this does not hold insofar as the abstracts for the period from
September, 1946, to June, 1947, are concerned, it appearing that although they had already been
verified by the office of the auditor prior to September 11, 1948, they were submitted to the central
office only one year thereafter, or in September, 1949. That respondent had been behind for more than
one year in his reports of collections which should have been submitted monthly plainly shows that he
is remiss in the discharge of his duties.

Wherefore, respondent is hereby reprimanded and warned that similar conduct in the future will
be dealt with more severely.

Done in the City of Baguio, this 1st day of May, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
fifty, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the fourth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1950). Administrative Order No. 116: Reprimanding Register of Deeds Sofronio M.
Flores of Iloilo. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 46(5), 1960-1962.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 117

AUTHORIZING THE FIRST NATIONAL SURETY & ASSURANCE CO., INC. TO BECOME A
SURETY UPON OFFICIAL RECOGNIZANCES, BONDS AND UNDERTAKINGS.

Whereas, section 1 of Act No. 536, as amended by Act No. 2206, provides that whenever any
recognizance, stipulation, bond or undertaking conditioned for the faithful performance of any duty
or of any contract made with any public authority, national, provincial, municipal, or otherwise, or of
any undertaking, or for the doing or refraining from doing anything in such recognizance, stipulation,
bond or undertaking specified, is, by the laws of the Philippines or by the regulations or resolutions of
any public authority therein, required or permitted to be given with one surety or with two or more
sureties, the execution of the same or guaranteeing of the performance of the condition thereof shall
be sufficient when executed or guaranteed solely by any corporation organized under the laws of the
Philippines, having power to guarantee the fidelity of persons holding positions of public or private
trust and to execute and guarantee bonds or undertakings in judicial proceedings and to agree to the
faithful performance of any contract or undertaking made with any public authority;

Whereas, said section further provides that no head of department, court, judge, officer, board,
or body executive, legislative or judicial shall approve or accept any corporation as surety on any
recognizance, stipulation, bond, contract, or undertaking, unless such corporation has been authorized
to do business in the Philippines in the manner provided by the provisions of said Act No. 536, as
amended, nor unless such corporation has by contract with the Government of the Philippines been
authorized to become surety upon official recognizances, stipulations, bonds and undertakings; and

Whereas, the First National Surety & Assurance Co., Inc., is a domestic corporation organized
and existing under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines and fulfills the conditions prescribed by
said Act No. 536, as amended;

Now, therefore, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers in me
vested by law, do hereby authorize the First National Surety & Assurance Co., Inc., to become a surety
upon official recognizances, stipulations, bonds and undertakings in such manner and under such
conditions as are provided by law, except that the total amount of immigration bonds that it may issue
shall not, at any time, exceed its admitted assets.

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Done in the City of Baguio, this 1st day of May, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
fifty, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the fourth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1950). Administrative Order No. 117: Authorizing the First National Surety &
Assurance Co., Inc. to become a surety upon official recognizances, bonds and undertakings. Official
Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 46(5), 1962-1963.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 118

CREATING A NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO TAKE CHARGE OF THE FOURTH
ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ON JULY 4, 1950.

Now, therefore, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested
in me by law, do hereby constitute and create a National Committee to formulate plans and devise
ways and means for the appropriate celebration of the Fourth Anniversary of the Republic of the
Philippines. The Committee shall be composed of the following:

Hon. Carlos P. Romulo Chairman

Hon. Sotero Baluyot Member

Hon. Primitivo Lovina

Hon. Prudencio Langcauon "

Hon. Pio Joven "

Hon. Asuncion A. Perez "

Maj. Gen. Mariano N. Castaneda "

Brig. Gen. Alberto Ramos "

Hon. Manuel de la Fuente "

Mr. Aurelio Periquet "

Mr. Benito Legarda "

Dr. Vidal A. Tan "

Mrs. Francisca T. Benitez "

Mrs. Pilar H. Lim

Mr. Exequiel Villacorta "

Mr. Vicente Lontok Executive Secretary

The Committee shall meet at the call of the Chairman and for the purpose of discharging its
functions, may create such sub-committees as may be necessary.

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Done in the City of Manila, this 12th day of May, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
fifty, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the fourth.

ELPIDIO QURINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1950). Administrative Order No. 118: Creating a National Committee to take charge
of the Fourth Anniversary celebration of the Republic of the Philippines on July 4, 1950. Official
Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 46(5), 1963-1964.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 119

CREATING A COMMITTEE TO STUDY AND PASS UPON THE PROPOSAL OF THE ITALIAN
FIRM, COMPANIA GENERALE IMPIANTI OF GENOA, ITALY, FOR THE FURNISHING OF
MACHINERY TO THE NATIONAL POWER CORPORATION.

Whereas, public interest requires the urgent completion of the project of the National Power
Corporation for the harnessing of a unit of the Maria Cristina Falls in Mindanao for the establishment
of a power and fertilizer plant;

Whereas, an Italian firm by the name of Compania Generale Impianti of Genoa, Italy, has
proposed to the National Power Corporation the sale of the machinery needed for the establishment of
said power and fertilizer plant partly on the cash basis and largely on the barter arrangement and the
proposal has been accepted by the National Power Corporation;

Whereas, pending the formalization of the corresponding contract, several requests from other
suppliers have been made to furnish the same machinery on competitive basis;

Now, therefore, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers
vested in me by law, do hereby create a committee composed of the Vice-President of the Philippines
as Chairman, and the Honorable Pio Pedrosa as Secretary of Finance and Chairman of the National
Economic Council; the Honorable Miguel Cuaderno, Governor of the Central Bank; Mr. Jose Paez; a
private contractor, and Mr. Aurelio Periquet, president of the Chamber of Commerce, as members, to
study and pass upon the feasibility and economic aspect of the aforesaid project, particularly on the
necessity of adopting the special arrangement with the Italian firm contemplated by the National Power
Corporation or on the advisability of public bidding for the acquisition of the necessary machinery.

The Committee shall submit its report to the President within ten days from the date of this Order.

Done in the City of Baguio, this 25th day of May, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
fifty, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the fourth.

ELPIDIO QURINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1950). Administrative Order No. 119: Creating a Committee to study and pass upon
the proposal of the Italian firm, Compania Generale Impianti of Genoa, Italy, for the furnishing of
machinery to the National Power Corporation. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines,
46(5), 1964-1965.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 120

AUTHORIZING THE PEOPLE’S SURETY AND INSURANCE CO., INC. TO BECOME A SURETY
UPON OFFICIAL RECOGNIZANCES, STIPULATIONS, BONDS AND UNDERTAKINGS.

Whereas, section 1 of Act No. 536, as amended by Act No. 2206, provides that whenever any
recognizance, stipulation, bond or undertaking conditioned for the faithful performance of any duty
or of any contract made with any public authority, national, provincial, municipal, or otherwise, or of
any undertaking, or for the doing or refraining from doing anything in such recognizance, stipulation,
bond or undertaking specified, is, by the laws of the Philippines or by the regulations or resolutions of
any public authority therein, required or permitted to be given with one surety or with two or more
sureties, the execution of the same or the guaranteeing of the performance of the condition thereof
shall be sufficient when executed or guaranteed solely by any corporation organized under the laws of
the Philippines, having power to guarantee the fidelity of persons holding positions of public or private
trust and to execute and guarantee bonds or undertakings in judicial proceedings and to agree to the
faithful performances of any contract or undertaking made with any public authority;

Whereas, said section further provides, that no head of department, court, judge, officer, board,
or body executive, legislative or judicial shall approve or accept any corporation as surety on any
recognizance, stipulation, bond, contract, or undertaking, unless such corporation has been authorized
to do business in the Philippines in the manner provided by the provisions of said Act No. 536, as
amended, nor unless such corporation has by contract with the Government of the Philippines been
authorized to become a surety upon official recognizances, stipulations, bonds, and undertakings; and

Whereas, The People’s Surety & Insurance Co., Inc. is a domestic corporation organized and
existing under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines and fulfills the conditions prescribed by said
Act No. 536, as amended;

Now therefore, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers in me
vested by law, do hereby authorize the People’s Surety & Insurance Co., Inc., to become a surety upon
official recognizances, stipulations, bonds and undertaking in such manner and under such conditions
as are provided by law, except that the total amount of immigration bonds, that it may issue shall not,
at any time, exceed its admitted assets.

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Done in the City of Manila, this 6th day of June, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
fifty, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the fourth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1950). Administrative Order No. 120: Authorizing the People’s Surety and Insurance
Co., Inc. to become a surety upon official recognizances, stipulations, bonds and undertakings. Official
Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 46(6), 2450-2451.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 121

LIFTING THE SUSPENSION OF EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 157, DATED JULY 10, 1948, AS
AMENDED BY EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 161, DATED AUGUST 12, 1948.

The Committee created under Administrative Order No. 69, dated September 3, 1948, having
submitted its report on the boundary dispute between the provinces of Isabela and Nueva Vizcaya,
arising from the enforement of Executive Order No. 157, dated July 10, 1948, as amended by Executive
Order No. 161, dated August 12, 1948, which fix the boundaries of the latter province pursuant to the
provisions of Republic Act No. 236, 1, ELPIDIO QUIRINO, President of the Philippines, by virtue of
the powers vested in me by law, do hereby lift the suspension of Administrative Order No. 69 of said
Executive Order No. 157, as amended by Executive Order No. 161, and continue in full force and
effect the provisions of the latter.

Done in the City of Manila, this 20th day of June, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
fifty, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the fourth.

(SGD.) ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

(SGD.) TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1950). Administrative Order No. 121: Lifting the suspension of Executive Order
No. 157, dated July 10, 1948, as amended by Executive Order No. 161, dated August 12, 1948. Official
Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 46(6), 2451-2452.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 122

AUTHORIZING THE PARAMOUNT SURETY AND INSURANCE COMPANY, INC., TO
BECOME A SURETY UPON OFFICIAL RECOGNIZANCES, STIPULATIONS, BONDS AND

UNDERTAKINGS.

Whereas, section 1 of Act No. 536, as amended by Act No. 2206, provides that whenever any
recognizance, stipulation, bond or undertaking conditioned for the faithful performance of any duty
or of any contract made with any public authority, national, provincial, municipal, or otherwise, or of
any undertaking, or for the doing or refraining from doing anything in such recognizance, stipulation,
bond or undertaking specified, is, by the laws of the Philippines or by the regulations or resolutions of
any public authority therein, required or permitted to be given with one surety or with two or more
sureties, the execution of the same or the guaranteeing of the performance of the condition thereof
shall be sufficient when executed or guaranteed solely by any corporation organized under the laws of
the Philippines, having power to guarantee the fidelity of persons holding positions of public or private
trust and to execute and guarantee bonds or undertakings in judicial proceedings and to agree to the
faithful performances of any contract or undertaking made with any public authority;

Whereas, said section further provides that no head of department, court, judge, officer, board,
or body executive, legislative or judicial shall approve or accept any corporation as surety on any
recognizance, stipulation, bond, contract, or undertaking, unless such corporation has been authorized
to do business in the Philippines in the manner provided by the provisions of said Act No. 536, as
amended, nor unless such corporation has by contract with the Government of the Philippines been
authorized to become a surety upon official recognizances, stipulations, bonds, and undertakings; and

Whereas, the Paramount Surety and Insurance Company, Inc., is a domestic corporation
organized and existing under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines and fulfills the conditions
prescribed by said Act No. 536, as amended.

Now, therefore, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers in me
vested by law, do hereby authorized the Paramount Surety and Insurance Company, Inc., to become
a surety upon official recognizances, stipulations, bonds, and undertakings in such manner and under
such conditions as are provided by law, except that the total amount of immigration bonds that it may
issue shall not, at any time, exceed its admitted assets.

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Done in the City of Manila, this 5th day of July, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
fifty, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the fifth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1950). Administrative Order No. 122: Authorizing the Paramount Surety and
Insurance Company, Inc., to become a surety upon official recognizances, stipulations, bonds and
undertakings. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 46(7), 2962-2963.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 123

AUTHORIZING THE WORLD-WIDE INSURANCE AND SURETY COMPANY, INC., TO
BECOME A SURETY UPON OFFICIAL RECOGNIZANCES, STIPULATIONS, BONDS AND

UNDERTAKINGS.

Whereas, section 1 of Act No. 536, as amended by Act No. 2206, provides that whenever any
recognizance, stipulation, bond or undertaking conditioned for the faithful performance of any duty
or of any contract made with any public authority, national, provincial, municipal, or otherwise, or of
any undertaking, or for the doing or refraining from doing anything in such recognizance, stipulation,
bond or undertaking specified, is, by the laws of the Philippines or by the regulations or resolutions of
any public authority therein, required or permitted to be given with one surety or with two or more
sureties, the execution of the same or the guaranteeing of the performance of the condition thereof
shall be sufficient when executed or guaranteed solely by any corporation organized under the laws of
the Philippines, having power to guarantee the fidelity of persons holding positions of public or private
trust and to execute and guarantee bonds or undertakings in judicial proceedings and to agree to the
faithful performances of any contract or undertaking made with any public authority;

Whereas, said section further provides that ho head of department, court, judge, officer, board,
or body executive, legislative or judicial shall approve or accept any corporation as surety on any
recognizance, stipulation, bond, contract, or undertaking, unless such corporation has been authorized
to do business in the Philippines, in the manner provided by the provisions of said Act No. 536, as
amended, nor unless such corporation has by contract with the Government of the Philippines been
authorized to become a surety upon official recognizances, stipulations, bonds, and undertakings; and

Whereas, The World-Wide Insurance and Surety Company, Inc., is a domestic corporation
organized and existing under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines and fulfills the conditions
prescribed by said Act No. 536, as amended;

Now, therefore, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers in me
vested by law, do hereby authorize The World-Wide Insurance and Surety Company, Inc., to become a
surety upon official recognizances, stipulations, bonds and undertaking in such manner and under such
conditions, as are provided by law, except that the total amount of immigration bonds that it may issue
shall not, at any time, exceed its admitted assets.

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Done in the City of Manila, this 7th day of July, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
fifty, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the fifth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1950). Administrative Order No. 123: Authorizing the World-Wide Insurance
and Surety Company, Inc., to become a surety upon official recognizances, stipulations, bonds and
undertakings. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 46(7), 2963-2964.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 124

AUTHORIZING THE CENTURY INSURANCE COMPANY, INC., TO BECOME A SURETY
UPON OFFICIAL RECOGNIZANCES, STIPULATIONS, BONDS AND UNDERTAKINGS.

Whereas, section 1 of Act No. 536, as amended by Act No. 2206, provides that whenever any
recognizance, stipulation, bond or undertaking conditioned for the faithful performance of any duty
or of any contract made with any public authority, national, provincial, municipal, or otherwise, or of
any undertaking, or for the doing or refraining from doing anything in such recognizance, stipulation,
bond or undertaking specified, is, by the laws of the Philippines or by the regulations or resolutions of
any public authority therein, required or permitted to be given with one surety or with two or more
sureties, the execution of the same or the guaranteeing of the performance, of the condition thereof
shall be sufficient when executed or guaranteed solely by any corporation organized under the laws of
the Philippines, having power to guarantee the fidelity of persons holding positions of public or private
trust and to execute and guarantee bonds or undertakings in judicial proceedings and to agree to the
faithful performance of any contract or undertakings made with any public authority;

Whereas, said section further provides that no head of department, court, judge, officer, board,
or body executive, legislative or judicial shall approve or accept any corporation as surety on any
recognizance, stipulation, bond, contract, or undertaking, unless such corporation has been authorized
to do business in the Philippines in the manner provided by the provisions of said Act No. 536, as
amended, nor unless such corporation has by contract with the Government of the Philippines, been
authorized to become a surety upon official recognizances, stipulations, bonds, and undertakings; and

Whereas, the Century Insurance Company, Inc., is a domestic corporation organized and existing
under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines and fulfills the conditions prescribed by said Act No.
536, as amended;

now, therefore, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers in me
vested by law, do hereby authorize the Century Insurance Company, Inc., to become a surety upon
official recognizances, stipulations, bonds and undertakings in such manner and under such conditions
as are provided by law, except that the total amount of immigration bonds that it may issue shall not,
at any time, exceed its admitted assets.

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Done in the City of Manila, this 7th day of July, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
fifty, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the fifth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1950). Administrative Order No. 124: Authorizing the Century Insurance Company,
Inc., to become a surety upon official recognizances, stipulations, bonds and undertakings. Official
Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 46(7), 2964-2965.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 125

CREATING A COMMITTEE TO PREPARE ALL THE PAPERS NECESSARY FOR THE
EFFECTIVE PARTICIPATION OF THE PHILIPPINES IN THE TARIFF NEGOTIATIONS UNDER
THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE TO BE HELD ON SEPTEMBER 28,

1950, AT TORQUAY, ENGLAND.

WHEREAS, the Philippines is participating in the third round of tariff negotiations under the
General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) of the International Trade Organization to be held
beginning September 28, 1950, at Torquay, England;

WHEREAS, for effective participation in said negotiations it is necessary that the Philippine
representatives be provided, before sitting at the conference, with schedules of countries with which
it is considered desirable to increase trade, of the products the Philippines proposes to import from
and to export to those countries, of the maxima and the minima of tariff concessions that this country
would be willing to recommend for approval by the Congress of the Philippines on particular products
and the minimum amount of concessions that the Philippines would like to receive from said countries
for its export products; and

WHEREAS, the preparation of such schedules involve detailed and intensive examination, on a
product-by-product basis, of relative prices of imported goods coming from different sources and the
effect on them of import duties imposed under existing laws as well as the possibilities for expanding
sales of Philippine exports in markets other than the United States should tariff reductions be given
them in those markets;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ELPIDIO QUIRINO, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers
vested in me by law, do hereby create, under the general supervision of the Secretary of Finance, a
committee composed of the following:

Mr. Alfredo de Leon, Bureau of Customs Chairman

Mr. Saturnino Mendinueto, Department of Commerce & Industry Member

Mr. Filemon Rodriguez, National Power Corporation

Mr. Leonides Virata, Central Bank of the Philippines

Dr. Amando Dalisay, National Economic Council Member

Mr. Cesar Lanuza, Department of Foreign Affairs

Mr. Jose M. Trinidad, Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources

Mr. Cesar Lorenzo, Central Bank of the Philippines

Mr. Eriberto Manabat, Philippine Relief and Trade

Rehabilitation Administration

Mr. Amado R. Brinas, Department of Finance

Mr. Montano A. Tejam, Department of Finance

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The Committee shall convene at once and hold such number of sessions and create among its members
such study groups to draft the proposals and objectives of the Philippine Government as shall be
necessary and submit the same to the Secretary of Finance not later than August 31, 1950, for policy-
level consideration.

Done in the City of Manila, this 7th day of July, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
fifty, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the fifth.

(Sgd.) ELPIDIO QUIRINO

By the President:

(Sgd.) TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source: Malacanang Records Office

Office of the President of the Philippines. (1950). [Administrative Order Nos.: SI - 266]. Manila:
Malacanang Records Office.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 126

REMOVING MR. JUAN M. BARBA FROM OFFICE AS REGISTER OF DEEDS OF

ILOCOS NORTE

This is an administrative case against Mr. Juan M. Barba, Register of Deeds of Ilocos Norte.

It appears that respondent has been absent from office from August 12, 1949, up to the present
without proper application for leave and without even communicating with his office or his superiors
as to his whereabouts. It also appears that in 1948 he went on leave for 160 days, either for personal
business or for medical treatment, but no medical certificate was submitted by him justifying his
applications for sick leave.

The foregoing constitutes not only violation of civil service rules and regulations but also
abondonment of office to the detriment of the public service.

Wherefore, respondent Juan M. Barba is hereby removed from office as Register of Deeds of
Ilocos Norte, effective as of August 12, 1949.

Done in the City of Manila, this 18th day of July, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
fifty, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the fifth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1950). Administrative Order No. 126: Removing Mr. Juan M. Barba from office as
Register of Deeds of Ilocos Norte. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 46(7), 2966.

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BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 127

PLACING ALL CONSTABULARY UMTS UNDER THE OPERATIONAL CONTROL OF THE
COMMANDING GENERAL, ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES.

In order to secure a more effective coordination of the urgent measures to combat lawlessness,
disorder and violence in troubled areas of the country, and for the proper training and preparation of
the armed forces for national defense, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the
powers vested in me by law, do hereby place all units of the Philippine Constabulary throughout the
country, and such other armed elements as may be attached thereto, under the operational control of
the Commanding General, Armed Forces of the Philippines, effective immediately, and until further
orders.

Administrative Order No. 113, dated April 1, 1950, is hereby superseded.

Done in the City of Manila, this 26th day of July, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
fifty, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the fifth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1950). Administrative Order No. 127: Placing all constabulary units under the
operational control of the Commanding General, Armed Forces of the Philippines. Official Gazette of
the Republic of the Philippines, 46(7), 2966-2967.

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BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 128

PLACING THE PRESIDENTIAL GUARD BATTALION UNDER THE ADMINISTRATIVE
AND OPERATIONAL CONTROL OF THE COMMANDING OFFICER OF THE PHILIPPINE

CONSTABULARY.

By virtue of the powers vested in me by law, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, do
hereby place the Presidential Guard Battalion under the administrative and operational control of the
Commanding Officer of the Philippine Constabulary.

Administrative Order No. 127, dated July 26, 1950, is hereby amended accordingly.

Done in the City of Manila, this 3rd day of August, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the fifth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1950). Administrative Order No. 128: Placing the Presidential Guard Battalion
under the administrative and operational control of the Commanding Officer of the Philippine
Constabulary. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 46(8), 3541.

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BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 129

CREATING A COMMITTEE TO ADVISE THE PRESIDENT ON ALL RELEASES OF FUNDS
APPROPRIATED IN THE VARIOUS APPROPRIATION ACTS OTHER THAN THE GENERAL
APPROPRIATION ACT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 1951.

WHEREAS, the present condition of the finances of the Government require that a more effective
control of releases of appropriated funds be exercised;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the provisions
of Section 8 of Republic Act No. 563, do hereby create a committee consisting of the Secretary of
Finance, as Chairman, and the Auditor General and the Commissioner of the Budget, as Members, to
act upon all requests for releases of funds chargeable against the various appropriation acts, including
the appropriations for special purposes in the General Appropriation Act for the current fiscal year.
Republic Act No. 563, and to recommend to the President appropriate action thereon.

Cash advances and releases of cash chargeable against the appropriations for salaries and wages
and sundry expenses appropriated under Republic Act No. 563 may be made without any need of
action by the Committee herein constituted.

Done in the City of Manila, this 8th day of August, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the fifth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1950). Administrative Order No. 128: Creating a Committee to advise the President
on all releases of funds appropriated in the various appropriation acts other than the General
Appropriation Act for the Fiscal Year 1951. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 46(8),
3542.

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BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 130
AMENDING ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 32, DATED APRIL 12, 1947

By virtue of the powers vested in ma by law, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, do
hereby amend the second paragraph of Administrative Order No. 32, dated April 12, 1947, to read as
follows:

“In the fulfillment of their duties, the members of the Committee may appoint their respective
representatives who are authorized to take, either collectively or individually, testimony or evidence
with all the incidental powers provided for in section 580 of the Revised Administrative Code.”

Done in the City of Manila, this 1 8th day of August, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the fifth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1950). Administrative Order No. 130: Amending Administrative Order No. 32,
dated April 12, 1947. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 46(8), 3542-3543.

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BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 131

MODIFYING ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 126, DATED JULY 18, 1950, BY CHANGING
THE DATE OF EFFECTIVITY OF THE REMOVAL OF MR. JUAN M. BARBA FROM OFFICE AS

It having been brought to my attention that the last day of service with pay of Mr. Juan M. Barba,
who was removed from office as register of deeds of Ilocos Norte effective August 12, 1949, under
Administrative Order No. 126, dated July 18, 1950, violation of civil service rules and regulations
and for abandonment of office, was August 16, 1949, said administrative order is hereby modified by
considering Mr. Barba as having been separated from the service effective as of August 17, 1949.

Done in the City of Manila, this 28th day of August, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the fifth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1950). Administrative Order No. 131: Modifying Administrative Order No. 126,
dated July 18, 1950, by changing the date of effectivity of the removal of Mr. Juan M. Barba from
office as Register of Deeds of Ilocos Norte. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 46(8),
3543.

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BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 132

EXTENDING THE PERIOD WITHIN WHICH THE REORGANIZATION COMMISSION
CREATED UNDER ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER No. 109, DATED FEBRUARY 28, 1950, SHALL
SUBMIT ITS REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION.

Whereas, the Reorganization Commission created under Administrative Order No. 109, dated
February 28, 1950, is required to submit its report and recommendation within six months from the
issuance of said Order, that is, on or before August 31, 1950; and

Whereas, it appears that the Reorganization Commission needs more time for the preparation of
its report and recommendation;

Now, therefore, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested
in me by law, do hereby extend by sixty days the period within which the Reorganization Commission
shall submit its report and recommendation to the President of the Philippines.

Done in the City of Manila, this 31st day of August, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the fifth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1950). Administrative Order No. 132: Extending the period within which the
Reorganization Commission created under Administrative Order No. 109, dated February 28, 1950,
shall submit its report and recommendation. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 46(8),
3544.

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BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 133

CREATING A COMMITTEE TO INVESTIGATE, STUDY, PLAN AND RECOMMEND WAYS
AND MEANS TO SETTLE ALL OUTSTANDING ACCOUNTS BETWEEN THE VARIOUS
SUBDIVISIONS, DEPARTMENTS, BUREAUS, OFFICES, AGENCIES AND INSTRUMENTALITIES
OF THE GOVERNMENT AND THE GOVERNMENT-OWNED OR CONTROLLED
CORPORATIONS, AND/OR AMONG ONE ANOTHER OF THESE ENTITIES.

For the purpose of expediting the settlement of outstanding accounts between the various
subdivisions, departments, bureaus, offices, agencies and instrumentalities of the Government and the
government-owned or controlled corporations, and/or among one another of these entities, I, Elpidio
Quirino, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby create a
Committee composed of the following:

Deputy Auditor General Chairman

Undersecretary of Economic Coordination Member

Deputy Commissioner of the Budget Member

The Committee shall investigate, study, plan and recommend ways and means to settle the
outstanding accounts between the foregoing entities.

The Committee is hereby empowered to call upon any department, bureau, office, agency or
instrumentality of the government of such assistance, including personnel, data, and information as it
may need in carrying out its functions.

Done in the City of Manila, this 6th day of October, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the fifth.

ELPIDIO QURINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1950). Administrative Order No. 133: Creating a Committee to investigate,
study, plan and recommend ways and means to settle all outstanding accounts between the various
subdivisions, departments, bureaus, offices, agencies and instrumentalities of the government and the
government-owned or controlled corporations, and/or among one another of these entities. Official
Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 46(10), 4687-4688.

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BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 134

REPRIMANDING PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR MAMERTO S. RIBO OF LEYTE

This is an administrative case against Mr. Mamerto S. Ribo, Provincial Governor of Leyte, who
stands charged with bribery, dishonesty, oppression and misconduct in office.

The evidence presented in the investigation does not establish the charge that respondent received
the amount of P45 as bribe money in consideration of his approval of nine firearms applications. This
same charge was the subject of a criminal complaint filed against him with the Court of First Instance
of Leyte which, after due hearing, acquitted the respondent.

It has, however, been proved that respondent knowingly consented that his wife obtain a contract
with the Provincial Government for the painting of a wing of the Leyte High School building; that
he held and shook violently a school teacher for trying to evade his question when he investigated
an accident caused by the careless driving of a truck which resulted in injuries to some students of
the Leyte High School; that he arbitrarily suspended from office and caused the investigation and
punishment by the Provincial Board of certain mayors of Leyte who were subsequently exonerated
on appeal by the Secretary of the Interior; and that he caused the transfer of the management of the
Tacloban Electric Plant from the office of the Provincial Treasurer to the Provincial Board and, after
the disapproval by the Secretary of the Interior of the resolution of the Provincial Board providing for
the transfer, he persisted in following said resolution.

The charges proved against the respondent show that his acts as a public official have not been
above reproach. Instead of conducting himself in a manner that inspires the trust and confidence of
the people as the father of his province, he allowed himself to be carried by violent passion and to
be involved in improper transactions with his own administration through his wife which aroused
suspicion and invited the criticism of people who are none too friendly to him. However, the acts
committed by him do not constitute dishonesty, oppression or misconduct in office of such a degree as
to warrant his removal.

In view of the foregoing, respondent Mamerto S. Ribo is hereby reprimanded and warned that
repetition of similar acts will be dealt with more severely.

It appearing that the respondent has been suspended from office by reason of this case, his
suspension shall be considered sufficient punishment for the irregularities committed by him. He is
hereby reinstated in office without right to the payment of salary during his suspension.

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Done in the City of Manila, this 14th day of October, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the fifth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1950). Administrative Order No. 134: Reprimanding Provincial Governor Mamerto S.
Ribo of Leyte. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 46(10), 4688-4689.

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BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 135

FURTHER AMENDING ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 76, DATED DECEMBER 16, 1948, AS
AMENDED BY ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 104, DATED OCTOBER 21, 1949, CREATING
A COMMITTEE TO IMPLEMENT EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 145, DATED JUNE 19, 1948, AS
AMENDED BY EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 190, DATED DECEMBER 16, 1948, CONCERNING
THE COLLECTION OF VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS FROM PUPILS AND STUDENTS
ENROLLED IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ELEMENTARY, SECONDARY AND COLLEGIATE
SCHOOLS WITH WHICH TO FINANCE THE RESTORATION OF THE RIZAL HOME IN
CALAMBA, LAGUNA, AND DAPITAN PARK IN ZAMBOANGA.

Administrative Order No. 76, dated December 16, 1948, as amended, concerning the collection of
voluntary contributions from pupils and students enrolled in public and private elementary, secondary
and collegiate schools with which to finance the restoration of the Rizal Home in Calamba, Laguna,
and Dapitan Park in Zamboanga, insofar only as the composition of the committee is concerned, is
hereby further amended as follows:

The Secretary of Education Chairman

Hon. Manuel Lim Vice-Chairman

The Director of Public Schools Member

The Director of Private Schools

The Provincial Governor of Laguna

The Provincial Governor of Zamboanga

Mr. Juan F. Napkil

Mr. Joaquin de San Agustin

Dr. Herminio Velarde

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Done in the City of Manila, this 31st day of October, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the fifth.

ELPIDIO QURINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1950). Administrative Order No. 135: Further Amending Administrative Order
No. 76, dated December 16, 1948, as amended by Administrative Order No. 104, dated October 21,
1949, creating a Committee to implement Executive Order No. 145, dated June 19, 1948, as amended
by Executive Order No. 190, dated December 16, 1948, concerning the collection of voluntary
contributions from pupils and students enrolled in public and private elementary, secondary and
collegiate schools with which to finance the restoration of the Rizal Home in Calamba, Laguna, and
Dapitan Park in Zamboanga. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 46(10), 4689-4690.

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BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 136

FURTHER EXTENDING UP TO NOVEMBER 30, 1950, THE PERIOD WITHIN WHICH THE
REORGANIZATION COMMISSION CREATED UNDER ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 109,
DATED FEBRUARY 28, 1950, SHALL SUBMIT ITS REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION.

By virtue of the powers vested in me by law, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines,
do hereby further extend up to November 30, 1950, the period within which the Reorganization
Commission created under Administrative Order No. 109, dated February 28, 1950, shall submit its
report and recommendation.

Done in the City of Manila, this 1st day of November, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the fifth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source-. Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1950). Administrative Order No. 136: Further extending up to November 30, 1950,
the period within which the Reorganization Commission created under Administrative Order No. 109,
dated February 28, 1950, shall submit its report and recommendation. Official Gazette of the Republic
of the Philippines, 46(11), 5343-5344.

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BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 137
DESIGNATING THE NATIONAL RIZAL DAY COMMITTEE

Whereas, the 30th day of December, 1950, is the 54th anniversary of the martyrdom of the
greatest Filipino hero, Jose Rizal;

Whereas, more than at any other epoch in the history of the Philippines, there is today an
imperative need of emphasizing and inculcating in the minds of our citizenry, particularly the youth
of the land, a more determined observance and enrichment of Filipino character, of which Rizal, by
precept and by example, was the greatest exponent;

Now, therefore, I Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, do hereby call upon all officials
and citizens of the Republic to observe the anniversary of our national hero’s death this year with the
most appropriate ceremonies and programs expressive of Filipino character as a fitting homage and
gratitude to the memory of Rizal.

I hereby designate the National Rizal Day Committee composed of the following:

Hon. Pablo Lorenzo Chairman

Hon. Jose Figueras Member

Hon. Asuncion A. Perez Member

Dr. Bienvenido M. Gonzalez Member

Hon. Manuel de la Fuente Member

Director Isaias Fernando Member

Director Eustaquio C. Balagtas Member

Hon. Manuel Lim Member

Dr. Vidal A. Tan Member

Mrs. Francisca T. Benitez Member

Mr. V. Lontok Executive Secretary

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the
Philippines to be affixed.

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Done in the City of Manila, this 8th day of December, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the fifth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1950). Administrative Order No. 137: Designating the National Rizal Day
Committee. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 46(12), 5395-53 96.

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BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 138

DISMISSING THE CHARGES AGAINST PROVINCIAL FISCAL AMADO S. SANTIAGO OF

NUEVA ECIJA

This is an administrative case against Mr. Amado S. Santiago, provincial fiscal of Nueva Ecija,
who stands charged with incompetence, corruption, dereliction of duty, unauthorized practice of law,
immorality and dishonesty. He is also charged with being a quarrelsome person and of violent character.

After a careful review of the record, I find that the charges have not been substantiated.

The record discloses, however, that respondent had several incidents not only with his assistants in
the office but also with practising attorneys, a court clerk and a member of the provincial board. Most
of these incidents would have ended not merely in an exchange of hot words but also in a physical
encounter had not cooler heads intervened.

Although respondent does not consider the incidents to be of a serious nature, claiming that
they were mere discussions and misunderstandings which were easily patched up soon after their
occurrence, the unusual number of such incidents with different persons in Cabanatuan City cannot
but reveal his utter lack of tact in his dealings with them. Nevertheless, I am convinced that he is not
exactly a quarrelsome person but rather one of an impulsive type and who is easily provoked. I am
also convinced that respondent was motivated in practically all these squabbles by his excessive zeal to
protect the interests of his office and the personnel thereof and by what he considered was the proper
discharge of his official duties. On the whole the acts imputed to respondent are not of such a character
as to warrant drastic disciplinary action.

In view of the foregoing, the charges against respondent are hereby dismissed. He is, however,
admonished to be more tactful in his official and private dealings with other persons, to observe
calmness and self-control at all times and not to allow himself to be carried by passion even under
trying circumstances.

Done in the City of Manila, this 13th day of February, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-one, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the fifth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1951). Administrative Order No. 138: Dismissing the charges against Provincial Fiscal
Amado S. Santiago of Nueva Ecija. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 47(2), 589-590.

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BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 139

PLACING THE “SUGAR ADJUSTMENT AND STABILIZATION FUND” COLLECTED UNDER
COMMONWEALTH ACT NO. 567 AT THE DISPOSAL OF THE SUGAR REHABILITATION
AND READJUSTMENT COMMISSION FOR EXPENDITURE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE

PROVISIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 582.

Whereas, Commonwealth Act No. 567 impose certain taxes to be collected from all proprietors
or operators of mills producing centrifugal sugar which shall accrue to a special fund in the Philippine
Treasury known as the “Sugar Adjustment and Stabilization Fund”;

Whereas, the President of the Philippines is authorized under Republic Act No. 582 to make
disbursements from the said fund for certain purposes enumerated in the aforesaid Act and to designate
the Sugar Rehabilitation and Readjustment Commission to take charge of the expenditure; and

Whereas, the Sugar Rehabilitation and Readjustment Commission may be authorized to carry
out all the objectives enumerated in Commonwealth Act No. 567 and in Republic Act No. 582, and
has actually undertaken some of these objectives, for which purpose the said Commission borrowed
the sum of P100, 000 from the defunct Philippine Relief and Trade Rehabilitation Administration,
which has been succeeded by the Price Stabilization Corporation (PRISCO), to finance its work;

Now, therefore, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers
vested in me by the Constitution and existing laws, do hereby order that all the funds so far collected
under Commonwealth Act No. 567 and those to be collected in the future be placed at the disposal
of the Sugar Rehabilitation and Readjustment Commission to pay the aforementioned indebtedness
of P100,000 to the PRISCO, the balance to be expended in accordance with, and to carry out the
objectives of, Republic Act No. 582.

Done in the City of Manila, this 16th day of February, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-one, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the fifth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source-. Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1951). Administrative Order No. 139: Placing the “Sugar Adjustment and
Stabilization Fund” collected under Commonwealth Act No. 567 at the disposal of the Sugar
Rehabilitation and Readjustment Commission for expenditure in accordance with the provisions of
Republic Act No. 582. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 47(2), 590-591.

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BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 140

SUSPENDING MR. I. D. JIMENEZ FROM OFFICE AS PROVINCIAL TREASURER OF ILOILO

This is an administrative case against Mr. I. D. Jimenez, provincial treasurer of Iloilo, who stands
charged with irregularities committed in connection with the purchase, allocation, etc., of supplies,
materials and equipment while he was holding the same position in Negros Occidental, to the prejudice
of the province.

The record discloses that respondent acquired supplies and materials in excess of the requirements
of the service for six months; that he failed to follow in certain cases the procedure outlined for the
acquisition of supplies, materials and equipment, which failure resulted in the payment of exorbitant
prices; and that he purchased equipment without first obtaining, as required, departmental approval of
the corresponding requisitions.

It also appears that respondent allotted to the municipalities of Negros Occcidental supplies and
materials in excess of the reasonable requirements of the service; that contrary to existing regulations he
charged the cost of equipment to the account for stationery and office supplies; and that despite notice
given to him by the Bureau of Printing about its being in a position to supply the local governments
with most of the printed forms, he continued buying such forms from outside dealers and without
strictly following in some instances the procedure outlined for the calling of bids for the purpose, as a
result of which the province paid much more than it should have paid.

Respondent’s explanation that these excessive purchases of supplies and materials were due to
his desire to cooperate with the provincial administration and to preclude future shortage in case of
emergency and that the irregular allotment thereof to the various municipalities had the approval of
the provincial governor and the provincial auditor is not satisfactory. The instructions on the matter
are sufficiently clear, and the acquisition as well as the disposition of supplies and materials is the sole
responsibility of the respondent. At least it should have occurred to him to consult the Department
Head before proceeding with the acquisition of said articles. Moreover, he could have extended his
cooperation without violating any regulations and with minimum loss to the province.

There is no evidence however that respondent profited personally from the transactions involved.
Neither is there anything in the record that could impugn his honesty and integrity. But there is enough
to show that he was too lax in the hands of dealers.

The foregoing shows that respondent has been careless and negligent in the performance of
his functions as a consequence of which the province acquired supplies, materials and equipment at
exorbitant prices and in-excessive quantities resulting in losses thereto.

Wherefore, respondent, I. D. Jimenez is hereby suspended from office as Provincial Treasurer of
Iloilo without pay for a period of six (6) months, effective from the date of his preventive suspension.
He is also admonished to be more firmed and careful in the discharge of his duties in the future and
repetition of the same or similar irregularity will be dealt with more severely.

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Done in the City of Manila, this 6th day of March, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
fifty-one, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the fifth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1951). Administrative Order No. 140: Suspending Mr. I. D. Jimenez from office as
Provincial Treasurer of Iloilo. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 47(3), 1082-1083.

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BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 141
EXONERATING TREASURER FELIPE B. PAREJA OF CEBU CITY

This is an administrative case against Mr. Felipe B. Pareja, treasurer of Cebu City, for certifying
to the need of, and causing to be purchased, while he was provincial assessor of Cebu, allegedly
unnecessary equipment and for conduct unbecoming an official.

After going over the record of the case, I find that the charges have not been substantiated.

It appears that thirty-eight (38) steel storage cabinets were requisitioned by respondent wherein
to keep the tax declarations and other papers pertaining to assessment because his office was then
housed in a small building of highly inflammable materials situated near a restaurant which was also
a fire hazard; that those cabinets were intended to be distributed to the various municipalities of the
province after the general revision of real property assessments had been completed; and that if some
of the cabinets were at the time of the investigation found still empty or used for purposes other
than that for which they were intended, it was because the revision work had not been finished and
papers connected therewith were still coming in.

As regards the purchase of a set of Comments on the Rules of Court by Chief Justice Moran,
respondent explains that he needs the books for reference in answering queries received in due
course of business. In view thereof and as the amount involved is relatively small, the purchase may
be allowed.

With respect to the charge of unbecoming conduct, respondent claims that he refused to
answer certain questions on the purchase of the law books above referred to (in view of which the
investigation had to be stopped) because they were incriminatory and irrelevant to the matter at
issue and, besides, his understanding was that he was merely a witness and not a respondent as the
questions propounded tended to make him. On the other hand, the special investigator believed that
such questions were necessary to enable him to discharge the duties entrusted to him. Evidently,
the misunderstanding arose from an honest difference of opinion which does not warrant taking
administrative action against the respondent.

In view of the foregoing respondent Felipe B. Pareja is hereby exonerated from the charges filed
against him.

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QUIRINO | Volume 5

Done in the City of Manila, this 6th day of March, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-one, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the fifth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1951). Administrative Order No. 141: Exonerating Treasurer Felipe B. Pareja of
Cebu City. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 47(3), 1084-1085.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 142
ADMONISHING PROVINCIAL TREASURER JOSE C. ORTEZA OF SAMAR

This is an administrative case against Mr. Jose C. Orteza, provincial treasurer of Samar, for alleged
irregular purchases of supplies and materials amounting to over P45,000.

It appears that respondent made certain purchases of office supplies and materials without public
bidding from Manila dealers who had called at his office. He claims, however, that the prices paid
did not exceed those quoted to him by the Purchasing Agent. The quotations, it turned out, had been
tampered with, evidently by the dealer who had received the letter from the office of the Purchasing
Agent and delivered it to the office of respondent. This circumstance accounts for the payment of
higher prices than what should have been paid.

Respondent explains that he had to avail of the offers of dealers coming to Catbalogan in the
interest of the service on account of the delay in the filling of orders by the then Division of Purchase
and Supply and the expenses entailed in sending a deputy to Manila to make arrangement with the
Purchasing Agent regarding the matter. He also states that public biddings were not called on the
ground, among others, that there were then no local dealers in office supplies and materials and that
he considered the letters of the Purchasing Agent addressed to him as sufficient to authorize him “to
purchase the supplies and materials from the dealers involved.”

Respondent’s explanation is not entirely satisfactory. The regulations governing the acquisition of
supplies are clear enough and respondent should at least have consulted the Secretary of Finance before
dispensing with the public bidding. Obviously he failed to observe the regulations strictly. It does not
appear, however, that there was overstocking of the supplies and materials purchased nor was there
any trust fund used. Moreover, the sum involved is insignificant, considering the size and classification
of the Province of Samar.

In view of the foregoing, respondent is hereby admonished to comply strictly with existing
rules and regulations on the purchase of supplies and materials and warned that repetition of similar
irregularity will be dealt with more severely.

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Done in the City of Manila, this 6th day of March, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
fifty-one, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the fifth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1951). Administrative Order No. 142: Admonishing Provincial Treasurer Jose C.
Orteza of Samar. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 47(3), 1085-1086.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 143

SUSPENDING JUSTICE OF THE PEACE ANTONIO FUENTECILLA OF SAN FELIPE AND SAN

NARCISO, ZAMBALES.

This is an administrative case against Mr. Antonio Fuentecilla, justice of the peace of San Felipe
and San Narciso, Zambales, who stands charged with habitual drunkness, gambling, playing politics in
his official actuations, and negligence in the performance of his duties.

The record of the case does not show the above charges to have been substantiated, except that
of negligence. It appears that respondent failed to render, without any justifiable reason, his decision
in a certain criminal case for less serious physical injuries despite the lapse of four months from its
submission. His explanation that he deferred rendering his judgment so as to afford the parties an
opportunity to reach an amicable settlement which was reportedly under way, the realization of
which would save him from the embarrassment of rendering a decision that would antagonize the
municipal mayor who was allegedly a vindictive person, is altogether unsatisfactory. The case having
been submitted for decision, it was his duty to decide it one way or another, without fear of displeasing
anybody. By his admission, it has been established that he not only unduly delayed the administration
of justice but also displayed a weakness of character which does not become a judge who should at all
times inspire respect and faith and confidence in our courts of justice.

In view of the foregoing and it appearing that before the war respondent was also found negligent
and inefficient in the performance of his duties as justice of the peace of San Marcelino, Zambales, and
warned against commission of similar irregularity, I am constrained to take drastic action against him.

Wherefore, respondent Antonio Fuentecilla is hereby suspended from office as justice of the peace
of San Felipe and San Narciso, Zambales, for a period of three months without pay. He is also warned
that commission of similar irregularity in the future will be sufficient cause for his removal from the
service.

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Done in the City of Manila, this 6th day of March, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
fifty-one and of the Independence of the Philippines, the fifth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1951). Administrative Order No. 143: Suspending Justice of the Peace Antonio
Fuentecilla of San Felipe and San Narciso, Zambales. Official Gazette of the Republic of the
Philippines, 47(3), 1086-1087.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 144
FINING REGISTER OF DEEDS RAMON N. VELASCO OF QUEZON CITY

This is an administrative case against Mr. Ramon N. Velasco, register of deeds of Quezon City, for
having authorized his collecting clerk to pay partial salaries to employees from office collections and
for having himself obtained the sum of P15 from such collections by signing a receipt therefor.

Respondent admits the charge but alleges that he did so with the best of intentions to relieve his
low-salaried employees of their financial difficulties, which are not conducive to efficiency, and in the
honest belief and conviction that such payments were neither illegal nor immoral. The acts committed
by respondent are in violation of existing law and regulations. Considering, however, that he acted in
good faith and for humanitarian reasons, and it appearing that this is his first offense, I believe that he
deserves some leniency.

Wherefore, Mr. Ramon N. Velasco is hereby fined in an amount equivalent to his salary for five
(5) days, with a warning that commission of similar irregularity in the future will be dealt with more
severely.

Done in the City of Manila, this 6th day of March, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
fifty-one, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the fifth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source-. Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1951). Administrative Order No. 144: Fining Register of Deeds Ramon N. Velasco of
Quezon City. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 47(3), 1087-1088.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 145
REPRIMANDING CITY ENGINEER V. C. CASTRO OF LIPA

This is an administrative case against Mr. V. C. Castro, city engineer of Lipa, in connection with
the requisitioning of gasoline and other inflammable materials.

It appears that in February and March, 1948, respondent requisitioned a number of drums
of gasoline, diesel fuel and kerosene ostensibly for the use of the City of Lipa but the supplies were
delivered to and dispose of by a Chinaman, in violation of Executive Order No. 897, dated October 24,
1935.

By way of explanation, respondent states that as his office had not yet established a bodega
for the storage of inflammable materials and supplies, he had to make an arrangement with a local
gasoline station to secure these supplies from which his office could draw from time to time at contract
price plus cost of transportation; and that the kerosene and other supplies, which were very scarce,
were ordered by him with the understanding that they should be distributed to the consuming public at
current prices so as to protect it from having to acquire them at black market prices.

Respondent’s explanation is not satisfactory. The executive order referred to above explicitly
prohibits the issuance of requisition for gasoline, oil, etc., except for public use. Such an arrangement
as that made by respondent is not only irregular but is also a potential source of graft. Considering,
however, that he appears to have acted in good faith and that there is no showing that he personally
profited therefrom, I am inclined to view his case with some measure of leniency.

Wherefore, respondent V. C. Castro is hereby reprimanded and warned to be more careful in
administering his office, particularly in the acquisition of equipment, supplies and materials; otherwise
a more drastic action will be taken against him.

Done at the City of Manila, this 6th day of March, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
fifty-one, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the fifth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1951). Administrative Order No. 145: Reprimanding City Engineer V. C. Castro of
Lipa. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 47(3), 1088-1089.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 146

REPRIMANDING MR. ALFONSO U. REYNO, REGISTER OF DEEDS OF CAGAYAN, AND
WARNING HIM TO BE MORE CAREFUL IN THE DISCHARGE OF HIS DUTIES.

This is an administrative case filed by Atty. Jose W. Diokno against Mr. Alfonso U. Reyno, Register
of Deeds of Cagayan, for partiality and dereliction of duty.

It appears that on June 5, 1947, the complainant presented for registration two deeds of sale
covering three parcels of land formerly belonging to Senator Melecio Arranz; that the respondent
refused without justifiable cause to register said deeds although they contained all the essential
requisites of a registerable document; that on the other hand, he registered an unsigned carbon copy of
a document involving the same parcels of land presented for registration apparently at the instance of
Senator Arranz.

The acts committed by the respondent are highly improper and irregular. However, I am now
informed that the irregular registration of the unsigned copy of the document above mentioned
was subsequently corrected; that the two documents presented by the complainant are already duly
registered; and that the complainant has no objection to the case being dropped and considered closed.

Wherefore, the respondent is hereby reprimanded and warned to be more careful in the discharge
of his duties, otherwise he will be dealt with more severely.

Done in the City of Manila, this 6th day of March, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
fifty-one, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the fifth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1951). Administrative Order No. 146: Reprimanding Mr. Alfonso U. Reyno, Register
of Deeds of Cagayan, and warning him to be more careful in the discharge of his duties. Official
Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 47(3), 1089.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 147

SUSPENDING MR. RODRIGO ACOSTA FROM OFFICE AS CITY TREASURER OF LEGASPI

This is an administrative case against Mr. Rodrigo Acosta, city treasurer of Legaspi, for alleged
irregularities committed by him in connection with the acquisition and disposal of supplies and
materials during his incumbency as provincial treasurer of Bukidnon.

The record shows that during the period from October 15, 1947, to May 31, 1950, respondent,
in violation of existing regulations, acquired excessive and unnecessary supplies and materials
at exorbitant prices and kept in stock quantities thereof in excess of the requirement of the service
for six months. It also appears that he failed to follow the procedure outlined for the acquisition of
such supplies and materials, which failure resulted in the payment of unreasonably high prices. The
record further discloses that respondent, evidently in an effort to reduce his excessive stock on hand,
practically forced the various municipal treasurers to accept supplies and materials which were not
needed by their municipalities nor requested by them, and that he even went to the extent of causing
items to be inserted in their requisitions without their consent.

Respondent’s explanation that the prices paid for the articles were approved and certified as
reasonable by the Procurement Office is unavailing in the face of the established fact that at the time
of their acquisition there was no immediate or future need for some of the articles purchased in great
quantities. Neither do I find any merit in the claim of respondent that purchases made in accordance
with the prices approved by the Procurement Office were reasonable and legal and binding without
necessity of public bidding. In the letters of said office to him it was invariably stated that purchases
might be made if the prices quoted in the requisition were the lowest obtainable in the locality, which
means that public bidding as provided by the regulations, or at least a canvassing of the local market to
determine the lowest prices obtainable in the locality, should be made. The allegation that such bidding
was impracticable in Bukidnon because there were no merchants dealing in the kinds of articles
purchased is untenable. It appears that he bought large quantities of such articles not from only one
but from different dealers.

Finally, respondent cannot find relief in the fact that he was merely following the practice
prevailing in other provinces of purchasing printed forms from private dealers, in the honest belief
that the forms were not available in the Bureau of Printing after it had been burned. That practice
was contrary to standing instructions on the matter and hence should not have been followed by him.
Furthermore, the Procurement Office had repeatedly suggested to him to inquire from the Bureau of
Printing whether such forms were available, but the suggestion was apparently ignored by him.

The foregoing shows that respondent has been remiss, to say the least, in the performance of his
functions, as a consequence of which the Province of Bukidnon acquired excessive and unnecessary
supplies and materials at exorbitant prices resulting in losses thereto estimated at P40,000.

Wherefore, respondent Rodrigo Acosta is hereby suspended from office as city treasurer of
Legaspi without pay for a period of three months. He is also admonished to be more careful in the
discharge of his duties, as repetition of similar irregularity will be dealt with more severely.

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Done in the City of Manila, this 6th day of March, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
fifty-one, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the fifth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1951). Administrative Order No. 147: Suspending Mr. Rodrigo Acosta from office as
City Treasurer of Legaspi. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 47(3), 1090-1091.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 148

FINING AND REPRIMANDING MR. LEON R. BARINAGA, CITY TREASURER- ASSESSOR OF

BASILAN.

Mr. Leon R. Barinaga, city treasurer-assessor of Basilan, stands charged with irregularities in
connection with the acquisition of office supplies and materials.

An examination of the record discloses that in violation of existing regulations respondent
purchased and carried in stock as of June 30, 1950, supplies and materials (consisting mostly of printed
forms) which would take the City of Basilan more than one year and a half to consume, and that the
acquisitions were made without benefit of public bidding.

Taking up respondent’s explanation, the mere fact requisitions for supplies and materials could
not be filled on time by the Procurement Office and that when the printed forms were ordered from
the open market the same were not available in the Bureau of Printing does not justify their acquisition
in quantities that would last more than six months. He could have acquired just enough to meet
the actual needs of the city. Furthermore, he should have obtained first the required approval of the
Department Head before ordering his printing jobs outside the Bureau of Printing.

Neither is his reason for dispensing with public bidding acceptable, it appearing that the supplies
involved were acquired, not under the direct order and payment system as alleged by him, but from
traveling merchants from Manila and Cebu City without the intervention of the Procurement Office.

The foregoing shows respondent to have been remiss in the performance of his duties.

Wherefore, Mr. Leon R. Barinaga is hereby fined in an amount equivalent to one month’s pay and
reprimanded and warned that commission of similar irregularity in the future will be dealt with more
severely.

Done in the City of Manila, this 6th day of March, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
fifty-one, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the fifth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source-. Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1951). Administrative Order No. 148: Fining and reprimanding Mr. Leon R.
Barinaga, City Treasurer- Assessor of Basilan. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 47(3),
1091-1092.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 149

SUSPENDING MR. JOSE ELAYDA FROM OFFICE AS CITY TREASURER OF ZAMBOANGA

This is an administrative case against Mr. Jose Elayda, city treasurer of Zamboanga, for alleged
irregularities committed by him in connection with the acquisition of supplies and materials.

It appears that in violation of existing regulations respondent purchased as of June 30, 1950,
office supplies and materials at exorbitant prices and much in excess of the requirements of the service
for six months from traveling merchants without any public bidding.

In acquiring and carrying in stock supplies and materials in excess of the needs of the service for
six months, respondent advances among other reasons, the fact that the Bureau of Printing could not
fill on time his orders therefor. The instructions on the matter being sufficiently clear, respondent should
have consulted the Department Head before making such purchases. I am not, therefore, prepared to
accept his explanation as satisfactory.

Respondent’s explanation for dispensing with public bidding is also far from satisfactory. The
mere fact and local dealers had no supplies in stock or, if they had, the prices thereof were higher than
those offered by traveling merchants, furnishes no valid excuse for disregarding existing regulations
requiring public bidding. At any rate, he should have purchased, if he had to, only such quantities as
would last until he received a supply from the Bureau of Printing, or for six months at most.

Equally unsatisfactory is his explanation that the prices paid for the articles were based on those
fixed by the Procurement Office and were commensurate with the high quality of workmanship and
materials used in the manufacture or printing of the articles or forms involved. The great bulk of the
purchases made by respondent consisted of printed forms which conformably to standing instructions,
should have been acquired from the Bureau of Printing. Had he done so, the city would have paid
much lower prices for the same. Furthermore, he should have obtained the required approval of the
Department of Finance before placing the orders for printed forms with private dealers or printers.

The foregoing shows respondent to have been remiss in the performance of his functions,
as a consequence of which the City of Zamboanga acquired excessive supplies and materials at
unreasonably high prices, resulting in tremendous losses thereto.

Wherefore, respondent Jose Elayda is hereby suspended from office as city treasurer of
Zamboanga without pay for two months. He is also admonished to be more careful in the future in the
discharge of his duties, as repetition of similar irregularity will be dealt with more severely.

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Done in the City of Manila, this 6th day of March, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
fifty-one, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the fifth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1951). Administrative Order No. 149: Suspending Mr. Jose Elayda from office as
City Treasurer of Zamboanga. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 47(3), 1092-1093.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 150

AUTHORIZING THE ASSOCIATED INSURANCE AND SURETY COMPANY, INC. TO
BECOME A SURETY UPON OFFICIAL RECOGNIZANCES, STIPULATIONS, BONDS AND

UNDERTAKINGS.

Whereas, section 1 of Act No. 536, as amended by Act No. 2206, provides that whenever any
recognizance, stipulation, bond or undertaking conditioned for the faithful performance of any duty
or of any contract made with any public authority, national, provincial, municipal, or otherwise, or of
any undertaking, or for the doing or refraining from doing anything in such recognizance, stipulation,
bond, or undertaking specified, is, by the laws of the Philippines or by the regulations or resolutions
of any public authority therein, required or permitted to be given with one surety or with two or more
sureties, the execution of the same or the guaranteeing of the performance of the condition thereof
shall be sufficient when executed guaranteed solely by any corporation organized under the laws of
the Philippines, having power to guarantee the fidelity of persons holding positions of public or private
trust and to execute and guarantee bonds or undertakings in judicial proceedings and to agree to the
faithful performances of any contract or undertaking made with any public authority;

Whereas, said section further provides that no head of department, court, judge, officer, board,
or body executive, legislative or judicial shall approve or accept any corporation as surety on any
recognizance, stipulation, bond, contract, or undertaking, unless such corporation has been authorized
to do business in the Philippines in the manner provided by the provisions of said Act No. 536, as
amended, nor unless such corporation has by contract with the Government of the Philippines, been
authorized to become a surety upon official recognizances, stipulations, bonds, and undertakings; and

Whereas, the Associated Insurance and Surety Company, Inc. is a domestic corporation organized
and existing under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines and fulfills the conditions prescribed by
said Act No. 536, as amended;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers in
me vested by law, do hereby authorize the Associated Insurance and Surety Company, Inc. to become a
surety upon official recognizances, stipulations, bonds and undertaking in such manner and under such
conditions as are provided by law, except that the total amount of immigration bonds that it may issue
shall not, at any time, exceed its admitted assets.

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Done in the City of Manila, this 14th day of March, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-one, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the fifth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1951). Administrative Order No. 150: Authorizing the Associated Insurance
And Surety Company, Inc. to become a surety upon official recognizances, stipulations, bonds and
undertakings. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 47(3), 1094-1095.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 151

CREATING A FOOD COMMISSION TO FORMULATE PLANS FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF
THE NUTRITION OF THE MASSES AND FOR THE INCREASE OF FOOD PRODUCTION IN

THE COUNTRY.

Whereas, the present food situation in the Philippines and the need of the people for adequate
and balanced food underscore the necessity of increasing the food production and improving the
nutrition of the masses; and

Whereas, the problems relating to the food requirement of the masses and to the production and
distribution of adequate food supply require careful study and consideration;

Now, therefore, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested
in me by law, do hereby create and constitute a commission, to be known as the Food Commission,
which shall be composed of the following:

( 1 ) A representative of the Department of Health Chairman

(2) A representative of the Institute of Nutrition Member and

Executive Secretary

(3) A representative of the Department of

Agriculture and Natural Resources Member

(4) A representative of the Department of Commerce and Industry Member

(5) A representative of the consuming public Member

all of whom shall be appointed by the President.

The Food Commission shall be charged with the duty of formulating plans not only for the
improvement of the nutrition of the masses by promoting measures for raising the levels of nutritional
standards but also for the solution of the following fundamental problems.

(a) To increase food production and supply through the use of modern agricultural implements
and scientific technique. To this end the Commission shall find ways and means of increasing
the production of rice, corn, casava; root vegetables, such as camote and gabe; beans, such
as soya beans and mongo; nuts, such as peanuts. The popularization of enriched rice and
enriched flour comes under this category.

(b) To design the food supply in balanced proportion so that its nutritional values approximate as
close as possible the total requirements of the population to be fed. To this end the production
and popularization of leafy vegetables, such as malungay, ampalaya, saluyot, squash,
kangkong; root vegetables, such as sweet potatos and carrots; fruits, such as papaya, mango
and kasoy, shall be encouraged.

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(c) To plan an adequate distribution of foods to the general public in such a way as to meet
the nutritional needs of different groups of people, having in mind that milk, if limited in
amount, should be distributed first to infants, young children, pregnant and nursing mothers,
and patients.

(d) To determine the actual nutritional status of the people with a view to correcting nutritional
deficiencies and diminishing the incidence of nutritional diseases.

To carry out the above functions, the Chairman of the Food Commission is hereby authorized to
call upon any officer or employee of any department, bureau, office, agency or instrumentality of the
Government for such assistance as may be needed by the Commission.

Any decision or resolution of the Commission, when approved by the President, shall be binding,
for implementation and execution, upon the department, bureau or office concerned.

Done in the City of Manila, this 16th day of March, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-one, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the fifth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1951). Administrative Order No. 151: Creating a Food Commission to formulate
plans for the improvement of the nutrition of the masses and for the increase of food production in the
country. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 47(3), 1095-1096.

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MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 152

REMOVING MR. GREGORIO SOLIS FROM OFFICE AS PROVINCIAL TREASURER OF

CAMARINES SUR

Mr. Gregorio Solis, Provincial Treasurer of Camarines Sur, stands charged with irregularities
committed by him in the acquisition and disposal of supplies and materials as such provincial treasurer
of Camarines Sur and while he was holding the same position in Cavite.

The record shows that in violation of existing law and regulations respondent, as provincial
treasurer of Camarines Sur, purchased during the period from June 1, 1949, to May 31, 1950, excessive
and unnecessary supplies and materials at exorbitant prices without public bidding; that, evidently to
reduce his stock, he practically dumped supplies and materials on the various municipal treasurers; and
that he used trust funds to cover in part the cost thereof. It also appears that as provincial treasurer of
Cavite he bought about the middle of 1948 and early part of 1949 excessive quantities of supplies and
equipment at unreasonably high prices.

Respondent’s explanation that the huge acquisitions of supplies and materials for the province
of Camarines Sur were made possible because of his trust and confidence in his assistant treasurer
who passed upon the correctness and reasonableness of the acquisitions and in his property clerk
who certified to the urgent necessity thereof is not satisfactory. The primary responsibility for such
acquisitions belongs to respondent, it being one of his functions to “acquire for the provincial
government all necessary supplies, material, and office equipment for which the proper appropriation
has been authorized by the provincial board or other competent authority.” Neither can he shift
responsibility therefor to the provincial auditor despite the order of the Auditor General holding
provincial and city auditors liable for allowing in audit irregular, unnecessary, excessive or extravagant
expenses, the provincial auditor being independently responsible under the law.

Respondent’s claim that the municipal treasurers concerned had filed corresponding requisitions
for the articles issued to them is without merit as it has been established that articles supposedly issued
to the municipalities and actually dropped from the provincial supplies-in-stock account were still
in the provincial bodega and in the possession of respondent’s property clerk. There is also no merit
in the claim of respondent that the prices paid for the articles were based on quotations made by
the Procurement Office. The Procurement Office merely stated that it would offer no objection to the
acquisition of the articles at the prices indicated provided the same were the lowest obtainable in the
locality. That office did not fix any prices to be paid, and whatever quotations appeared therein were
merely intended to serve as guide or basis for the prices which he, in the exercise of his sound discretion
and in the interest of the province, should pay. In the other cases, the prices relied upon by respondent
were quotations supposedly given by the Procurement Office to officials of other provinces or cities
which in all likelihood were furnished him by or in behalf of the dealers interested, as there is no record
that they were furnished him by that office.

As for the printed forms, he should have consulted the price list of the Bureau of Printing or else
communicated with the Director of Printing about the prices thereof. Considering his long connection

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with the treasury service, he should know that the authority competent to determine the reasonableness
of prices of printed matters is said official. Instead, he fell entirely for the copies of letters of the
Procurement Office to officials of other provinces and cities.

In connection with certain purchases made by respondent as provincial treasurer of Cavite, the
fact that there was need for floor wax for the public buildings of the province furnishes no valid reason
for purchasing what would take the province some twenty years to consume. Moreover, he could have
bought another kind, equally good if not better, at a much cheaper price. Concerning his purchase of
fire extinguishers, the mere fact that the voucher covering payment was passed in audit cannot relieve
him of responsibility for making excessive payment, it appearing that he had been informed by the
Procurement Office that they could be obtained at a very much lower price.

The foregoing shows respondent to have been not only grossly negligent in the performance
of his duties but also to have been guilty of violations of existing law and regulations governing
acquisition of supplies and materials to the prejudice of the Government. As a consequence of his acts
the Provinces of Camarines Sur and Cavite acquired at exorbitant prices enormous and unnecessary
stocks of supplies and materials which would take them a good number of years to consume, resulting
in losses thereto conservatively placed at more than P600,000.

Considering that the respondent has spent the greater part of his life in the service of the
Government, over forty-two years to be exact, it becomes my painful but inescapable duty to take
drastic action against him. My feeling of sympathy must give way to the necessity of keeping the faith
of the people in their Government.

Wherefore, respondent Gregorio Solis is hereby removed from office as provincial treasurer of
Camarines Sur, effective as of the date of his suspension from office by reason of this case.

Done in the City of Baguio, this 22nd day of March, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-one, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the fifth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1951). Administrative Order No. 152: Removing Mr. Gregorio Solis from office as
Provincial Treasurer of Camarines Sur. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 47(3), 10 96-
1098.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 153

CREATING A COMMITTEE TO FORMULATE PLANS TO EXPLOIT THE NATURAL
RESOURCES OF THE CANDABA SWAMPS BY CONVERTING THEM INTO AN ECONOMIC
ASSET IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NATIONAL ECONOMY.

Whereas, the Candaba swamps in the Province of Pampanga with an area of 800 square miles
comprised in the public domain have provided ideal hiding place for subversive elements; and

Whereas, it is believed that said swamps may be converted into fishponds, duck farms,
agricultural lands and other productive enterprises;

Now, therefore, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested
in me by law, do hereby create a Committee composed of the following:

Mr. Deogracias Villadolid, Director of Fisheries Chairman

Col. Alfonso Arellano, AFP Member

Mr. Francisco Marquez, Administrative Officer, Department of

Agriculture & Natural Resources Member

Mr. E. Santos, City Engineer, Baguio Member

Mr. Jose Panganiban, National Development Co Member

which shall formulate plans to exploit the natural resources of the Candaba swamps by converting
them into an economic asset instead of their being largely a social liability. It shall study ways and
means for the construction of fishponds and the establishment of duck farms, agricultural farms and
other productive enterprises conducive to the promotion of the national economy.

The Committee is hereby empowered to call upon any officer or employee of any department,
bureau, office, agency or instrumentality of the Government, including the corporations owned or
controlled by it, for such assistance as it may need in the performance of its functions.

The Committee shall submit its report and recommendations to the President of the Philippines as
soon as possible.

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Done in the City of Manila, this 13th day of April, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
fifty-one, and of the independence of the Philippines, the fifth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1951). Administrative Order No. 153: Creating a Committee to formulate plans to
exploit the natural resources of the Candaba swamps by converting them into an economic asset in
the development of the national economy. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 47(4),
1652-1653.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 154

AMENDING ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 153, DATED APRIL 13, 1951, ENTITLED
“CREATING A COMMITTEE TO FORMULATE PLANS TO EXPLOIT THE NATURAL
RESOURCES OF THE CANDABA SWAMPS BY CONVERTING THEM INTO AN ECONOMIC
ASSET IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NATIONAL ECONOMY.”

By virtue of the powers vested in me by law, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, do
hereby amend Administrative Order No. 153, dated April 13, 1951, by increasing the membership
of the committee therein created so as to include the Honorable Artemio O. Macalino, Congressman
from the Second District of Pampanga, and Mr. Juan A. Evangelista.

Done in the City of Manila, this 24th day of April, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
fifty-one, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the fifth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1951). Administrative Order No. 154: Amending Administrative Order No. 153,
dated April 13, 1951, entitled “Creating a Committee to formulate plans to exploit the natural
resources of the Candaba swamps by converting them into an economic asset in the development of
the national economy.” Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 47(4), 1653.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 155

CREATING A NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO TAKE CHARGE OF THE FIFTH ANNIVERSARY
CELEBRATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ON JULY 4, 195 1 .

Whereas, in order to impress upon our people, especially the youth and the laboring class, the
significance of that important event in our national life, it is fitting and proper that the day be observed
with appropriate ceremonies stressing that peace and order and economic development constitute
cornerstones of a sound, enduring and prosperous democracy;

Now, therefore, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested
in me by law, do hereby constitute and create a National Committee to formulate plans and devise
ways and means for the appropriate celebration of the Fifth Anniversary of the Republic of the
Philippines. The Committee shall be composed of the following:

Hon. Ramon Magsaysay

Hon. Teodoro Evangelista ....

Hon. Jose Figueras

Hon. Salvador Araneta

Hon. Jose Camus

Hon. Saturnino Mendinueto

Brig. Gen. Calixto Duque

Brig. Gen. Florencio Selga ....
Hon. Manuel de la Fuente....

Mr. Manuel Elizalde

Mr. Gil Puyat

Dr. Vidal A. Tan

Dr. Mariano V. de los Santos

Dr. Concepcion Aguila

Hon. Jorge B. Vargas

Dean Francisco M. Africa

Mrs. Trinidad F. Legarda

Mrs. Amparo S. Lardizabal ..
Mr. Vicente Lontok

Chairman

Vice-Chairman

Member

Executive Secretary

The Committee shall meet at the call of the Chairman and, for the purpose of discharging its
functions, may create such sub-committees as may be necessary.

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Done in the City of Manila, this 10th day of May, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
fifty-one, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the fifth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Assistant Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1951). Administrative Order No. 155: Creating a National Committee to take
charge of the Fifth Anniversary Celebration of the Republic of the Philippines on July 4, 1951. Official
Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 47(6), 2810-2811.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 156

AUTHORIZING THE GENERAL INSURANCE AND SURETY CORPORATION TO
BECOME A SURETY UPON OFFICIAL RECOGNIZANCES, STIPULATIONS, BONDS AND

UNDERTAKINGS.

Whereas, Section 1 of Act No. 536, as amended by Act No. 2206, provides that whenever any
recognizance, stipulation, bond or undertaking, conditioned for the faithful performance of any duty
or of any contract made with any public authority, national, provincial, municipal, or otherwise, or of
any undertaking, or for the doing or refraining from doing anything in such recognizance, stipulation,
bond, or undertaking specified is, by the laws of the Philippines, or by the regulations or resolutions
of any public authority therein, required or permitted to be given with one surety or with two or more
sureties, the execution of the same or the guaranteeing of the performance of the condition thereof
shall be sufficient when executed or guaranteed solely by any corporation organized under the laws of
the Philippines, having power to guarantee the fidelity of persons holding positions of public or private
trust and to execute and guarantee bonds or undertakings in judicial proceedings and to agree to the
faithful performance of any contract or undertaking made with any public authority;

Whereas, said section further provides that no head of department, court, judge, officer, board,
or body executive, legislative or judicial shall approve or accept any corporation as surety on any
recognizance, stipulation, bond, contract, or undertaking, unless such corporation has been authorized
to do business in the Philippines in the manner provided by the provisions of said Act No. 536, as
amended, nor unless such corporation has, by contract with the Government of the Philippines, been
authorized to become a surety upon official recognizances, stipulations, bonds, andundertakings; and

Whereas, the General Insurance and Surety Corporation is a domestic corporation organized
and existing under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines and fulfills the conditions prescribed by
said Act No. 536, as amended;

Now, therefore, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers in me
vested by law, do hereby authorized the General Insurance and Surety Corporation to become a surety
upon official recognizances, stipulations, bonds and undertakings in such manner and under such
conditions as are provided by law, except that the total amount of immigration bonds that it may issue
shall not, at any time, exceed its admitted assets.

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Done in the City of Manila, this 1st day of June, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
fifty-one, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the fifth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Assistant Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1951). Administrative Order No. 156: Authorizing the General Insurance and
Surety Corporation to become a surety upon official recognizances, stipulations, bonds
and undertakings. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 47(6), 2811-2812.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 157
CREATING THE PHILIPPINE COMMITTEE ON ECAFE MATTERS

Whereas, the Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East (ECAFE), as conceived by the
United Nations General Assembly and created on March 28, 1947, by virtue of a resolution passed by
the Economic and, Social Council, is charged with the accomplishment of the following objectives:

(1) To initiate and participate in measures for facilitating concerted action for the economic
reconstruction of Asia and the Far East, for raising the level of economic activity in said region and for
maintaining and strengthening the economic relations of these areas both among themselves and with
countries of the world;

(2) To make or sponsor such investigations and studies of economic and technological problems
and development within the countries of Asia and the Far East as the Commission deems appropriate;

(3) To undertake or sponsor the collection, evaluation and dissemination of such economic,
technological and statistical information as the Commission deems appropriate; and

(4) To recommend and follow up the implementations of the resolutions of the Commission by
the individual member-countries, with a view to achieving the above objectives.

Whereas, the Philippines is one of the active members of the Economic Commission for Asia and
the Far East (ECAFE), which is one of the regional economic commissions established by the United
Nations;

Whereas, the ECAFE Secretariat has recommended as necessary and expedient the creation of a
national ECAFE Committee in each of the member-governments, to act as liaison agency for securing
quick exchange of information between the ECAFE Secretariat and the Philippine Government
and between the various governments in the ECAFE region and to work for the implementation
of resolutions or studies approved or undertaken by the Commission and the ECAFE Secretariat,
respectively.

Now, therefore, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers
vested in me by law, do hereby create the Philippine Committee on ECAFE matters, which shall act
in accordance with paragraph 3 hereof; make or sponsor studies and submit measures for facilitating
concerted action for the economic reconstruction of the country, for raising the level of economic
activity in the country and for maintaining and strengthening the economic relations between the
Philippines and the other countries under the ECAFE region; undertake or sponsor the collection,
evaluation and dissemination of economic, technological and statistical information and to refer
the same for appropriate actions by the respective government agencies or bureaus concerned. The
Committee shall be composed of the Undersecretary of Commerce and Industry, as Chairman, and
a representative each of the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Central Bank of the Philippines, the
Office of Economic Coordination, and the Director of Commerce, as members. The Chairman shall
appoint the Secretary of the Committee.

The Chairman is hereby authorized to call upon any officer or employee of any Department,
bureau, office, agency or instrumentality of the Government, including the corporations owned or

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controlled by it, for such assistance as may be needed by the Philippine Committee on ECAFE matters
for the proper discharge of its functions and duties.

Done in the City of Manila, this 5th day of June, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
fifty-one, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the fifth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Assistant Executive Secretary

Source : Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1951). Administrative Order No. 157: Creating the Philippine Committee on ECAFE
Matters. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 47(6), 2812-2813.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 158

REMOVING MR. PRIMO L. CABRERA FROM OFFICE AS CITY ATTORNEY OF ORMOC

This is an administrative case against Mr. Primo L. Cabrera, city attorney of Ormoc, who
stands charged with corrupt practices in that (1) he made improper use of his official influence in
the settlement of civil cases for personal profit; (2) he filed or dismissed criminal cases for pecuniary
considerations; and (3) he illegally issued duplicate certificates of title, charging private fees for his
services, and took advantage of his position as ex-officio register of deeds in borrowing money from
persons transacting official business with his office. The charges were investigated by the Department
of Justice and in his report the Secretary of Justice recommends the dismissal of the respondent.

With respect to the first charge, it appears that sometime in July, 1950, through the intervention
of respondent, the husband of one Guillerma Cabiling de Barabad gave to respondent for delivery to
his aforenamed wife the sum of P400 as part of her accumulated allowances due from her husband,
but respondent gave her only P300, retaining the P100 for himself; that sometime in 1950 respondent
intervened in the settlement of an inherited property, as a result of which Francisca Monte Vda. de
Aviles and her sister succeeded in obtaining one-half thereof; that although their share was sold,
through the mediation of the respondent, for P250, he gave them only P100 and kept the balance of
P150 — P100 for himself and P50 for alleged cost of survey.

Respondent admits the occurrence of the above transactions but denies having received any
amount for himself in connection therewith and attempted to substantiate his denial. After weighing
the evidence for respondent, I find that it failed to overcome the probative value of the testimony of
Mesdames Barabad and Aviles. If respondent did not receive the amounts allegedly taken by him,
considerations of gratitude would have compelled them to come to his defense. That they acted
otherwise by testifying against him strengthens the veracity of the first charge.

The second charge is dropped for lack of merit.

As regards the last charge, Eugenio Go testified that he paid respondent P40 for the issuance
of two certificates of title for his two lots; that respondent did not issue any official receipt for the
amount; that on December 2, 1950, he obtained a loan of P500 from a Dr. Serafica secured by the
mortgage of these two lots, the papers having been drawn up in respondent’s office; that the P500
being a check, Go asked respondent to help him cash it; that together they went to a Bombay store
where it was cashed; that respondent gave him P300 only and told him that he was borrowing the
P200, for which he signed a receipt; and that in deference to respondent Go consented thereto. Go
also declared that his titles to the lots in question were burned during the war; and that despite the
absence of court session and his not having filed a petition with the court for the issuance of duplicate
certificates of title, respondent issued the duplicate certificates without the corresponding court order.

Pedro Torralba testified that he and two others bought a piece of land which had been mortgaged
to the Philippine National Bank; that although the former owner had already redeemed the mortgage,
no annotation to that effect appeared on the title, so he and his co-owners asked respondent to have

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the mortgage cancelled and a new certificate of title issued in their favor; and that they paid respondent
P200 for his services.

It likewise appears that without proper court order, but merely on the strength of the affidavits
executed by Pelagio P. Codilla and Rufino Conui, respondent issued transfer certificate of title No. 339
in favor of Mrs. Luisa Codilla Vda. de Siy.

Respondent admits the occurrence of these three transactions but denies having personally
profited by them. I have carefully considered respondent’s evidence, including his explanation, and I
find the same unsatisfactory. The issuance by respondent of the duplicate transfer certificate of title in
the particular case of Mrs. Siy is not only highly irregular and anomalous but also evidently illegal.

The foregoing facts clearly show respondent’s gross misconduct by prostituting his public office.
Consequently, I have no alternative but to take drastic action against him for the protection of the
public service.

Wherefore, Mr. Primo L. Cabrera is hereby removed from office as city attorney of Ormoc,
effective as of the last day of his service with pay, with prejudice to reinstatement in the government
service.

Done in the City of Manila, this 27th day of June, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
fifty-one, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the fifth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Assistant Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1951). Administrative Order No. 158: Removing Mr. Primo L. Cabrera from office
as City Attorney of Ormoc. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 47(6), 2814-2815.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 159

PRESCRIBING POLICIES, RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR THE ENFORCEMENT OF
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 650, ENTITLED “AN ACT TO REGULATE IMPORTS AND FOR OTHER

PURPOSES.”

Upon the recommendation of the Import Control Commission, the following policies, rules and
regulations are hereby prescribed for the enforcement of Republic Act No. 650, entitled “An Act to
regulate imports and for other purposes.”

SECTION 1. Importers shall be classified into three general categories, namely: (a) government
agencies and instrumentalities, (b) bona fide producers, and (c) bona fide importers (old and new).

SEC. 2. The requirements for the submission of applications to import shall be prescribed and
promulgated by the Import Control Commission as soon as practicable. The applications shall be
numbered chronologically according to the dates when they are received.

SEC. 3. Except those specified in section 10 of Republic Act No. 650, commodity imports subjects
to licensing shall bel divided into two categories: controlled goods and decontrolled goods. Controlled
goods shall be composed of all essential items listed in Appendix A of Republic Act No. 650 and of
items not listed therein and not decontrolled.

SEC. 4. The general procedure for the issuance of licenses shall be in accordance with priorities
established by section 4 of Republic Act No. 650, but such priorities shall strictly adhere to the
chronological order of the receipt of the corresponding applications.

Done in the City of Manila, this 2nd day of July, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
fifty-one, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the fifth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Assistant Executive Secretary

Source-. Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1951). Administrative Order No. 159: Prescribing policies, rules and regulations
for the enforcement of Republic Act No. 650, entitled “An Act to regulate imports and for other
purposes.” Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 47(7), 3321-3322.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 160

CREATING AN INTERDEPARTMENTAL COMMITTEE TO STUDY CERTAIN MATTERS
INCIDENT TO THE TERMINATION OF WAR WITH GERMANY.

WHEREAS, the Philippines has been invited by the United States, Great Britain and France to
terminate the state of war with Germany in accordance with their agreement of September 19, 1950;

WHEREAS, the participation by the Philippines in the negotiations for the termination of the
state of war with Germany would be advantageous to our country in that it would gain stature in
international relations, extend its area of diplomatic influence to a global scope and develop a
substantial trade with Germany, the largest among the European countries trading with the Philippines
before the war; and

WHEREAS, the acceptance of said invitation necessitates the taking of certain steps incident to
the termination of the state of war with Germany;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ELPIDIO QUIRINO, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the
powers vested in me by law, do hereby create an Interdepartmental Committee to be composed of the
following:

A representative of the Department of Foreign Affairs Chairman

A representative of the Department of Justice Member

A representative of the Department of Finance

A representative of the Department of Commerce and Industry

A representative of the Department of National Defense

which shall study certain necessary steps incident to the termination of the state of war with Germany,
such as:

(1) Revocation or amendment of whatever laws, rules or decisions presently in force which
prohibit trading with German nationals.

(2) Revocation or amendment of whatever laws, rules or decisions presently in force pertaining to
the naturalization or immigration of German nationals.

(3) Screening of German residents in order to determine who may be war criminals.

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Done in the City of Manila, this 3rd day of July, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
fifty-one, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the [sic]

(Sgd.) ELPIDIO QUIRINO

By the President:

(Sgd.) MARCIANO ROQUE
Acting Assistant Executive Secretary

Source-. Malacanang Records Office

Office of the President of the Philippines. (1951). [Administrative Order Nos.: 51 - 266]. Manila:
Malacanang Records Office.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 161

REMOVING MR. FELIPE E. JOSE FROM OFFICE AS DIRECTOR OF LABOR

This is an administrative case against Mr. Felipe E. Jose Director of Labor, who stands charged
with a number of irregularities involving, among others, abuse of authority, bribery and corruption.
These charges were investigated by the Integrity Board which found the following facts to have been
satisfactorily established:

1. That respondent Director recommended in writing the employment of the detective agency
of Colonel Lamberto Javalera to different commercial houses in Manila, informing them that in the
agency of Fausto Alberto, one of the complainants herein, which had in its employ more than 200 men
and was rendering loyal and efficient service to said firms, there was dissension between the agency and
its watchmen and that it was on the verge of insolvency and dissolution which information was not
true;

2. That he hired and used cars of the Central Garage, keeping them generally from seven o’clock
in the morning to about twelve o’clock midnight, from Monday to Sunday almost every week, for
a period of almost two years, specifically from October 1948 to July 1950, representing an average
monthly expense of PI, 200 for the Bureau of Labor, despite warning given him by the accounting
officer thereof that funds for traveling expenses had already been exhausted; that he compelled said
accounting officer to falsely certify that funds for traveling expenses were available; and that he used
these cars for supposed inspections of Chinese establishments made during the time his wife was
campaigning for her candidacy as “Mrs. Philippines of 1949”;

3. That respondent conducted investigations of alleged violations of labor laws and regulations
ex-parte, by hearing the complainant alone in the absence of the person complained against, or vice-
versa, without benefit of stenographic record or the assistance of any other official or employee, thereby
inviting temptations to infidelity to the service; and that at times he would change a decision rendered
by him by reducing the amount to be paid after the party complained against had appeared before him
ostensibly for the purpose of hearing his side, a case in point being that of Camilo Balones wherein the
amount to be paid by the respondent therein was radically reduced from P7,607.79 to P300; and

4. That his bank deposits and those of his minor children from November 1948 to April 1950
were rather heavy and the same, with the exception of that corresponding to the war damage payment,
were not explained, respondent choosing not to take the stand.

In the light of the afore-cited facts, the Integrity Board concluded that respondent is guilty of
abuse of authority, violation of his oath of office and of conduct highly unbecoming an official of
his rank. I have carefully examined and considered the evidence of record and I fully agree with the
findings and conclusions of that body.

It cannot be too often repeated that a public office is a public trust and not the property of the
incumbent thereof; that it must be discharged not only in accordance with the terms of the oath of
office and the provisions of law involved, but the incumbent must also observe certain recognized
moral and ethical standards of conduct. It is regrettable that Mr. Jose should have allowed himself to

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be guided by questionable personal motives in his official actuations. I am therefore constrained to take
drastic action against him for the protection of the public service.

Wherefore, and as recommended by the Integrity Board, Mr. Felipe E. Jose is hereby removed
from office as Director of Labor, effective as of the date of his preventive suspension by reason of this
case.

Done in the City of Manila, this 7th day of July, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
fifty-one, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the sixth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Assistant Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1951). Administrative Order No. 161: Removing Mr. Felipe E. Jose from office as
Director of Labor. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 47(7), 3322-3324.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 162

REMOVING MR. BERNARDO BAGAMASPAD FROM OFFICE AS PROVINCIAL TREASURER

OF COTABATO.

This is an administrative case against Mr. Bernardo Bagamaspad, provincial treasurer of
Cotabato, in connection with irregularities committed by him while he was agent ex-officio of the
Philippine National Bank in that province.

It appears from the decision of the Supreme Court, affirming that of the Court of First Instance of
Cotabato, that, in utter disregard of the instructions and regulations of the Philippine National Bank
and with gross negligence and carelessness, respondent and his assistant, Mr. Bienvenido M. Ferrer,
granted special crop loans to unqualified and insolvent borrowers; and that as a result thereof the
Philippine National Bank suffered losses in the huge amount of P699,803.57 which they were required
to reimburse to said entity.

Wherefore, Mr. Bernardo Bagamaspad is hereby removed from office as provincial treasurer of
Cotabato, effective as of February 13, 1948, the date of the preventive suspension.

Done in the City of Manila, this 27th day of July, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
fifty-one, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the sixth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Assistant Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1951). Administrative Order No. 162: Removing Mr. Bernardo Bagamaspad from
office as Provincial Treasurer of Cotabato. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 47(7),
3324.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 163

FURTHER AMENDING ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 13 DATED OCTOBER 12, 1946, AS
AMENDED, CREATING THE PHILIPPINE PORT COMMISSION.

Administrative Order No. 13, dated October 12, 1946, entitled “Creating a Commission, to be
known as the Philippine Port Commission, to perform the functions of the committee created under
Administrative Order No. 35, dated 29 May 1946, and to act as the agency of the Republic of the
Philippines in connection with the rehabilitation, improvement and construction of port and harbor
facilities in the Philippines under section 303 (a) of the Philippine Rehabilitation Act of 1946,” as
amended, is hereby further amended so as to make the composition thereof as follows:

The Undersecretary of Public Works and Communications Chairman

The Commissioner of Customs Vice-Chairman

Major Enrique Razon Member

Commander Chick Parsons, Manager, Luzon Stevedoring Company Member

Mr. Jose Fernandez, Managing Director, Compania Maritima Member

Director of Public Works Member

Commander of the Philippine Navy Member

Director of Quarantine Member

Mr. B. B. Tunold, Secretary-Manager, Associated Steamship Lines Member

Mr. Francisco Delgado, Vice-President and General Manager,

Delgado Bros., Inc., Member

Done in the City of Manila, this 24th day of August, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-one, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the six.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Assistant Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1951). Administrative Order No. 163: Further amending Administrative Order No. 13
dated October 12, 1946, as amended, creating the Philippine Port Commission. Official Gazette of the
Republic of the Philippines, 47(8), 3912-3913.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 164
AUTHORIZING THE UNION SURETY AND INSURANCE CO., INC.,

TO BECOME A SURETY UPON OFFICIAL RECOGNIZANCES, STIPULATIONS,

BONDS AND UNDERTAKING.

Whereas, section 1 of Act No. 536, as amended by Act No. 2206, provides that whenever any
recognizance, stipulation, bond or undertaking conditioned for the faithful performance of any duty
or of any contract made with any public authority, national, provincial, municipal, or otherwise,
or of any undertaking, or for the doing or refraining from doing anything in such recognizance,
stipulation, bond, or undertaking specified is, by the laws of the Philippines, or by the regulations
or resolutions of any public authority therein, required or permitted to be given with one surety
or with two or more sureties, the execution of the same or the guaranteeing of the performance
of the condition thereof shall be sufficient when executed or guaranteed solely by any corporation
organized under the laws of the Philippines, having power to guarantee the fidelity of persons
holding positions of public or private trust and to execute and guarantee bonds or undertakings in
judicial proceedings and to agree to the faithful performance of any contract or undertaking made
with any public authority;

Whereas, said section further provides that no head of department, court, judge, officer,
board, or body executive, legislative or judicial shall approve or accept any corporation as surety
on any recognizance, stipulation, bond, contract, or undertaking, unless such corporation has been
authorized to do business in the Philippines in the manner provided by the provisions of said Act
No. 536, as amended, nor unless such corporation has, by contract with the Government of the
Philippines, been authorized to become a surety upon official recognizances, stipulations, bonds, and
undertakings; and

Whereas, The Union Surety and Insurance Co., Inc., is a domestic corporation organized and
existing under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines and fulfills the conditions prescribed by said
Act No. 536, as amended;

Now, therefore, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers in me
vested by law, do hereby authorize the Union Surety and Insurance Co., Inc., to become a surety upon
official recognizances, stipulations, bends and undertakings in such manner and under such conditions
as are provided by law, except that the total amount of immigration bonds, that it may issue shall not,
at any time, exceed its admitted assets.

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Done in the City of Manila, this 24th day of August, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-one, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the sixth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Assistant Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1951). Administrative Order No. 164: Authorizing the Union Surety and Insurance
Co., Inc., to become a surety upon official recognizances, stipulations, bonds and undertaking. Official
Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 47(8), 3913-3914.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 165

ACCEPTING THE RESIGNATION OF MR. GERONCIO M. PINILI AS REGISTER OF DEEDS
OF NEGROS ORIENTAL, WITH PREJUDICE TO REINSTATEMENT IN THE GENERAL LAND
REGISTRATION OFFICE OR IN ANY POSITION INVOLVING MONEY OR PROPERTY

RESPONSIBILITY

This is an administrative case against Mr. Geroncio M. Pinili, Register of Deeds of Oriental
Negros, for violation of regulations, gross negligence in the performance of official duties and highly
improper conduct bordering on dishonesty.

It appears that on July 6, 1950, the City Auditor of Dumaguete sealed respondent’s safe and
instructed Mr. Zacarias Guiuan, a clerk in the office of the respondent, to inform the latter that
he would make a routinary examination of his accounts. On July 14, the City Auditor advised the
respondent by letter to be at his office the following day for the examination of his accounts. When
the City Auditor went to respondent’s office on July 15, he failed to meet the respondent. From time
to time thereafter, the City Auditor went to respondent’s office but the respondent failed to appear
thereat. Making an examination of respondent’s accounts, the City Auditor found that respondent’s
accountability from May 17, 1949, to July 22, 1950, was P16,009.46.

On July 24, 1950, the City Auditor addressed a letter to the respondent, requiring him to produce
his accountability of P16,009.46 for physical count and informing him that he would go to his office
for that purpose during the usual office hours on July 25. The City Auditor stayed in respondent’s
office on July 25 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., but the respondent did not
show up.

At the request of the Auditor General, the Undersecretary of Justice sent a telegram to the
respondent on July 31, 1950, directing him to submit to an examination of his accounts by the City
Auditor in the presence of the City Attorney, and advised the City Auditor accordingly. Although the
respondent received said telegram at 4:00 p.m. on August 2, he still proceeded to his farm at barrio
Bagtic, municipality of Bais, allegedly to save his corn crop from destruction due to a recent storm, and
while he was there he contracted illness, as a consequence of which he was unable to return to the City
until August 1 1 .

On August 3, 1950, the Auditor General sent a telegram to the City Auditor authorizing him to
force open respondent’s safe in the presence of witnesses. Accordingly, the City Auditor forcibly opened
the safe in the presence of the Provincial Treasurer, the Assistant Provincial Treasurer and the City
Attorney, but found no cash or anything representing valid cash. In view thereof the City Auditor wrote
a letter to the respondent on August 7, declaring him short of, and demanding from him, the amount
of P14,596.14, the sum of PI, 413. 32 covered by Official Receipt No. 53220, dated July 16, 1949,
issued by the Treasurer of the Philippines, having been deducted from his accountability of P16,009.36.
The respondent received said letter at 4:30 p.m. on August 11, 1950. At 5:30 p.m. on the same day
the City Attorney informed the City Auditor that the respondent was ready to produce the amount of
P14,596.14. In the presence of the Provincial Treasurer, the Assistant Provincial Treasurer and the City

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Attorney, the respondent opened the lowest shelf of an unlocked wooden book case with glass cover
and pulled out an old portfolio containing cash in the amount of P14,596.15.

It also appears that respondent’s cash book was posted up to October 26, 1949, only; that his
abstract of receipts and account-current was accomplished up to April 17 1950, only; that he failed
to post in his cash book Official Receipt No. 43220 dated July 16, 1949, in the amount of PI, 413. 32
issued by the Treasurer of the Philippines corresponding to a deposit remitted by him; that he failed to
deposit his collections as soon as the same reached P500.

The record further shows that on August 28, 1950, an information for malversation of public
funds was filed against the respondent in the Court of First Instance of Oriental Negros. However, the
case was dismissed on March 8, 1951, for insufficiency of evidence.

Upon the foregoing facts I find respondent Geroncio M. Pinili guilty of violation of regulations,
gross negligence in the performance of official duties and highly improper conduct bordering on
dishonesty. Wherefore, and it appearing that he has tendered his resignation as Register of Deeds of
Oriental Negros, the same is hereby accepted effective upon receipt of notice hereof, with prejudice to
reinstatement in the General Tand Registration Office or in any position involving money or property
responsibility.

Done in the City of Manila, this 25th day of August, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-one, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the sixth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Assistant Executive Secretary

Source-. Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1951). Administrative Order No. 165: Accepting the resignation of Mr. Geroncio M.
Pinili as Register of Deeds of Negros Oriental, with prejudice to reinstatement in the General Land
Registration Office or in any position involving money or property responsibility. Official Gazette of
the Republic of the Philippines, 47(8), 3914-3916.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 166

EXONERATING PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR MATEO S. PECSON OF MASBATE

This is an administrative case against Governor Mateo S. Pecson of Masbate, who stands charged
with a number of irregularities involving alleged abuse of authority, misuse of government funds and
property, and threats and intimidation. These charges were investigated by the Integrity Board which
found the following facts as having been established:

That the prisoners alleged to have been utilized by the respondent to render personal services in
his official residence and in the construction of the garage used in his wife’s transportation business did
so voluntarily and during their spare hours only; and they have no complaint against the respondent.

As regards the charge that he borrowed truck tires from the office of the District Engineer for his
wife’s trucks, the District Engineer explained that he lent truck tires to the respondent’s wife to avoid
possible inconvenience to the public, stating that in the past he had also been borrowing tires from
respondent’s wife for the use of government cars.

That the alleged failure of the respondent to distribute cigarettes worth P10,000 to government
employees as intended, was due to the lack of interest on the part of the various chiefs of provincial
offices and their employees in getting their shares and in depositing the money for the purchase thereof;
and that as respondent did not want to assume responsibility for the value of said cigarettes, he
indorsed them to a third party who was willing to advance the needed amount.

That in connection with the charge of misuse of government funds, the evidence discloses that
upon representation of the respondent, the owners of two adjoining lots which were then being used
as government nursery, agreed to sell said lots to the Province of Masbate for P2,000; that the said
owners, who were then residing in Manila, inadvertently executed the corresponding deed of sale in
favor of the respondent personally, although the sum of P2,000 paid for the land was government fund;
that respondent, not being a lawyer, was not aware of the apparent irregularity; that when his attention
was called to it, he immediately executed the corresponding instrument conveying the property to the
Province of Masbate; that respondent never took possession of said property nor benefited from any
fruits or products thereof; that even prior to 1946, said property had always been used as provincial
nursery under the administration of the provincial agricultural supervisor who sold the products
therefrom for the account and benefit of the provincial government.

In the light of the above findings, the Integrity Board recommends complete exoneration of
respondent. I have carefully examined and considered the evidence of record and I fully agree with the
findings of that body.

Wherefore, and in accordance with the recommendation of the Integrity Board, Governor Mateo S.
Pecson is hereby exonerated from all the charges filed against him.

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Done at the City of Manila, this 19th day of October, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-one, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the sixth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Assistant Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1951). Administrative Order No. 166: Exonerating Provincial Governor Mateo S.
Pecson of Masbate. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 47(10), 5047-5048.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 167

REPRIMANDING PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR ALFREDO M. ABUEG OF PALAWAN

This is an administrative case against Provincial Governor Alfredo M. Abueg of Palawan who is
charged with misappropriation of public funds, abuse of authority, favoritism, false representations,
extravagance, etc. The charges were investigated by the Integrity Board which found them not
substantiated with the exception of those treated hereunder.

Regarding the charge that the respondent, through false representations, succeeded in collecting
P90,000 from the Commission on Elections, the provincial government and the municipal governments
of Palawan for supposed services rendered by the launch, “Princess of Palawan”, in distributing and
collecting election matters to and from the different municipalities of the province in connection
with the 1947 general elections, the Board found that other boats could have been availed of for very
much less half of that figure; that he arbitrarily fixed the amount of P90,000 (one-third payable by
the National Government, the other third by the province and the remaining third by the various
municipalities of Palawan) evidently in order that the indebtedness of the province to the National
Government in the sum of P30,00 could be wiped out, as no portion of the respective shares of the
province and the municipalities had been paid. It also found that the respondent had likewise arbitrarily
charged a highly excessive amount for similar services rendered by the same launch in connection with
the 1949 general elections.

As to the charge that the respondent had been bringing a government car to Manila for his use,
thus entailing heavy expenses for the province which it could not afford the Board found that he had
been unreasonably extravagant in the expenditure of public funds, which practice is not in keeping
with the austerity program of the Government, especially considering that Palawan has all along
depended on the National Government for financial aid in carrying out its governmental functions.

In the light of the foregoing, the Integrity Board recommends that respondent be reprimanded
and warned. After carefully going over the record, I fully agree with the findings and recommendation
of that body.

Wherefore, respondent Alfredo M. Abueg is hereby reprimanded and warned that repetition of
similar acts in the future will be dealt with more severely.

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Done in the City of Manila, this 19th day of October, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-one, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the sixth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Assistant Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1951). Administrative Order No. 167: Reprimanding Provincial Governor Alfredo
M. Abueg of Palawan. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 47(10), 5049-5050.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 168
EXONERATING MAYOR VICENTE Y. OSTIA OF OZAMIZ CITY

This is an administrative case against Mayor Vicente Y. Ostia of Ozamiz City, who is charged
with alleged abuse of authority, graft and corruption, and nepotism.

The evidence of record discloses that on September 30, 1948, the respondent secured a
personal loan of P150 from Mr. Maximo Lago, Assistant Treasurer of the same city. The loan was
willingly granted as they are “compadres.” That same day, upon learning that Mr. Lago was leaving
for Oroquieta, respondent drew a personal check for P 1 5 0 and requested that the same be cashed
in Oroquieta in full payment of the loan. Mr. Lago readily agreed, and directed that the check be
made payable to the “City Treasurer.” He however failed to proceed to Oroquieta. On November 3,
1948, he sent the check to the Cebu Branch of the Philippine National Bank as part of the deposit of
Ozamiz City. On November 30, 1948, the check was returned by the bank with the advice that the
respondent had no sufficient funds, as the balance of respondent’s deposit with the Philippine National
Bank Agency at Oroquieta, as of that date, was only P36.42. However, when the check was drawn on
September 30, 1948, respondent had still a balance of PI, 211. 42 in his favor. The check, therefore, was
not a “rubber check” at the time of its issuance as it was amply covered by sufficient funds.

With respect to the charge that respondent falsified City Supplemental Budget No. 26, series
of 1948, it appears that the Secretary to the Municipal Board, through inadvertence and oversight,
certified to the effect that the fund thereby provided was fully “appropriated” by the Municipal Board
on December 6, 1948, in its Resolution No. 257. On the strength of such certification, the respondent
approved and signed the same. The certification of the Secretary turned out to be erroneous, because
although the budget was actually submitted to the Municipal Board for consideration on that date
(December 6, 1948), action thereon was deferred. Responsibility for the mistake therefore solely rests
on the shoulders of the Secretary, and not on the respondent, who signed the budget in good faith.

As regards the charge that respondent “used to take merchandise from Chinese businessmen and
others, besides the cash he borrowed from them without paying,” the records show that respondent is
actually indebted to the Legaspi Store in the amount of P2,000, representing the unpaid balance of a
piano purchased from said store on installments. Mr. Luciano Legaspi, owner of the store, testified that
he is surprised that this account of respondent was involved in this case, as he did not authorize anyone
to complain in his behalf; that he has no complaint against the respondent; and that the latter being his
compadre, he sold him the piano on credit, fully confident that the respondent will in due time honestly
fulfill his obligation to pay.

The account of respondent with the Kem Bien Him Hardware, in the sum of P626.61, represents
the value of automobile spare parts and gasoline taken by the respondent from said firm “for and on
account of the City Government.” The Municipal Board granted the respondent blanket authority to
acquire these articles for the use of the respondent’s private car, which is being used by the city officials
and employees for official transportation; and the Municipal Board duly appropriated funds for the
payment of this account, subject to the usual auditing requirements.

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The charge against respondent for alleged misappropriation of the Red Cross fund in the amount
of P171 has not been substantiated. It appears that the collections of the different barrio lieutenants
of the municipality of Misamis (now Ozamiz City) for the year 1948, were, upon instruction of
respondent turned over on July 12, 1948, together with the unused receipts, to Mr. Antonio J.
Dalangpan, the Municipal Secretary. The latter issued corresponding receipts for the amount received,
amounting to P171. Due to pressure of work, the money was not immediately turned over to the
Municipal Treasurer or to the local Red Cross Chapter. He placed the money together with the unused
receipts in one of the drawers of his office desk. On July 14, 1948, early in the morning, all the desks in
the municipal building were taken down and piled in one corner of the premises, as said building was
being cleaned by the firemen in preparation for the inauguration of the City of Ozamiz on the 16th.
When he located his own desk, all papers in the drawers, including the cash were gone. The money
therefore was lost while under the care and custody of Mr. Antonio J. Dalangpan, for which he was
given a complete clearance by the Red Cross authorities, after proper inquiry into the circumstances
surrounding the loss of the same.

The charge against the respondent for alleged nepotism, in violation of Executive Order No. Ill,
series of 1937, has not been substantiated. The record discloses that of the six close relatives of the
respondent he allegedly appointed into the service, three of them, namely, Melecio Ostia, his nephew,
and Fortunato Ostia and Filemon Ostia, both his cousins, are actually employed in the City Engineering
Department, under appointment extended by the Director of Public Works, and not by the respondent.
Antonio J. Dalangpan, appointed by the respondent as his Secretary is the husband of a niece of a
second cousin. The relationship is beyond the third degree of affinity and therefore does not come
within the prohibition of Executive Order No. 111. The appointment of Jose Procianos, son-in-law
of the respondent, as member of the City Secret Service, comes within the exception, as the position
of detective is specifically declared to be confidential in nature by Executive Order No. 264. The only
appointment that appears to be nepotistical, is the one made by the respondent in favor of his daughter,
Evangelina Ostia, as stenographer-filing clerk. It appears however that the respondent, believing the
position to be confidential, acted in good faith in issuing the said appointment upon recommendation
of the Municipal Board. Furthermore, her services had been terminated by the respondent himself.
In this connection, it should be emphasized that this Administration does not look with favor upon
the practice of appointing officials in extending appointments in favor of their relatives whether the
relationship of the latter to the former is beyond the third degree of either consanguinity or affinity.
Such practice creates the erroneous impression that a public office is a private property to be doled
out by the appointing power at his pleasure, and it adversely affects the morale of other officials and
employees in the service.

In view of all the foregoing, the respondent Mayor Vicente Y. Ostia, is hereby exonerated from all
the charges filed against him.

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Done at the City of Manila, this 30th day of October, in the year of Our Lord nineteen hundred
and fifty-one, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the sixth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Assistant Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1951). Administrative Order No. 168: Exonerating Mayor Vicente Y. Ostia of
Ozamiz City. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 47(10), 5050-5052.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 169

PRESCRIBING REGULATIONS FOR THE PAYMENT OF RELIEF TO VICTIMS
OF OPERATIONS AND ACTIONS AGAINST DISSIDENTS, PAYABLE FROM THE
APPROPRIATIONS PROVIDED FOR THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADMINISTRATION UNDER
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 563, AS AMENDED BY REPUBLIC ACT NO. 575 AND EXECUTIVE
ORDER NO. 392 DATED JANUARY 1, 1951.

Whereas, it is urgently necessary that relief to victims of operations and actions against dissidents
as provided under Republic Act No. 563, as amended by Republic Act No. 575 and Executive Order
No. 392 dated January 1, 1951, be granted as expeditiously as possible;

Now, therefore, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested
in me by law, do hereby prescribe the following regulations for carrying out effectively the provisions
of said Act:

1. Applications for relief shall be filed in any Social Welfare Administration branch office in an
“application for aid” form approved for such cases.

2. All such applications shall be duly registered as cases of the Social Welfare Administration.

3. A social investigation of each case shall be conducted to determine the need for help.

4. Eligibility shall be established through documentary evidence, such as death certificates,
affidavits of destruction and cause, certificates of the value of property destroyed, and certificates of
amounts spent for medical or burial expenses.

5. Subject to the availability of funds, grants shall be extended at not exceeding the following

rates:

(a) For medical expenses due to injuries a maximum of P25 per

person and not exceeding
P100 per family in case more
than one member is injured.

(b) For total incapacity of a bread earner or

head of a family a maximum of P100

(d) For the death of the head of the

family or bread earner a maximum of 200

(e) For the loss of homes or possessions a maximum of 100

Provided, however, That with the exception of claims falling under class (e), only one of the
various forms of relief falling under (a) to (d) shall be paid, should the victims be entitled to more than
one of such reliefs.

6. The Social Welfare Administration shall, subject to the usual auditing regulations, have the
authority to approve such grants.

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Done in the City of Manila, this 1st day of November, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-one, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the sixth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Assistant Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1951). Administrative Order No. 169: Prescribing regulations for the payment of
relief to victims of operations and actions against dissidents, payable from the appropriations provided
for the Social Welfare Administration under Republic Act No. 563, as amended by Republic Act No. 575
and Executive Order No. 392 dated January 1, 1951. Official Gazette of the Republic of the
Philippines, 47(11), 5563-5564.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 170
CREATING THE PRIORITY ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE

Whereas, there is a pressing need for coordinating and assuring better preparation of all requests
from the Philippines for priority assistance on orders for commodities in short supply in the United
States;

Whereas, public interest demands that the inconvenience involved in securing such priority
assistance be minimized as much as possible;

Now, therefore, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of
the Philippines, do hereby create a Committee, to be known as the Priority Assistance Committee,
composed of the following:

1. A representative of the Central Bank Chairman

2. A representative of the Department of Foreign Affairs Member

3. A representative of the Philippine Council for U. S. Aid Member

The Committee shall prescribe and direct the procedure for filing priority assistance requests for
scarce materials in the United States and for obtaining such assistance. This includes, but is not limited
to, the preparation of the official statements of end-use justification, the transmittal of approved
applications through the Department of Foreign Affairs to the Philippine Embassy, Washington, D. C.,
and the performance of such other functions as may be necessary to facilitate the approval of requests
for priority assistance.

The Committee shall also prescribe the manner in which the Philippine Embassy in Washington
shall participate in forwarding requests for priority assistance to the proper agencies of the United
States Government and facilitating their approval.

The Committee may call upon any department, bureau, office, agency or instrumentality of the
Government, including the corporations owned or controlled by it, or upon any official or employee
thereof, to assist it in the performance of its duties and functions.

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Done in the City of Manila, this 6th day of December, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-one, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the sixth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Assistant Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1951). Administrative Order No. 170: Creating the Priority Assistance
Committee. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 47(12), 6059-6060.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 171

REMOVING MR. CORNELIO S. RUPERTO FROM OFFICE AS ASSISTANT FISCAL OF THE

CITY OF MANILA.

This is an administrative case against Mr. Cornelio S. Ruperto, assistant fiscal of the City of
Manila, for (1) disloyalty to the service, (2) partiality, (3) favoritism, (4) violation of oath of office as
government employee and as attorney, and (5) acquisition of extensive real estate properties beyond his
income. The charges were investigated by the Integrity Board before which respondent was given full
opportunity to be heard in his defense.

After going over the record, I find that the charges, except those of partiality and favoritism,
have not been duly substantiated. The evidence sufficiently establishes, however, that respondent has
not shown fairness and impartiality in his official actuations. This finding is borne out by his filing, at
the instance one Flor Mayor, of a libel case against herein complainant, Conrado Teodoro, Sr., who
was acquitted for insufficiency of the evidence; by the institution of contempt proceedings against
Teodoro and two detectives only to be withdrawn by complainant-movant Flor Mayor herself; by the
dropping of the estafa case filed by Teodoro, and the charges of libel, slander and trespass to dwelling
presented by Evangelina Rabanzo, alleged sweetheart of Conrado Teodoro, Jr., against Flor Mayor
who had a frustrated courtship with the younger Teodoro; by his vigorous opposition to the reduction
of Teodoro ’s bail in the libel suit despite the favorable recommendation of the City Fiscal; and by the
filing of an information for inciting to rebellion against Jose Matibag and others, which was dismissed
by the court for failure of the prosecution to establish even a prima facie case.

Respondent’s biased actuations were motivated by the close friendship between Nurse Flor Mayor
and the wife of Colonel Raymundo Natividad, respondent’s guerrilla leader, who was attended to by
her while the latter was confined in the Philippine General Hospital and after his discharge therefrom,
and some kind of personal resentment he and Colonel Natividad evidently harbored against Matibag.

It also appears that a couple of months after the termination of the hearing of this administrative
case and the submission of his memorandum, respondent filed with the Court of First Instance of
Manila special proceedings No. 13694 for a writ of certiorari with preliminary injunction against
the chairman and members of the Integrity Board, wherein he alleged, among other things, that the
Board proceeded with the hearing of his case over and above his timely and repeated objection to its
jurisdiction. The truth of the matter however, is that he never at any time in the course of the protracted
hearing of his case, nor even in his aforesaid memorandum, challenged, but willingly submitted to,
the jurisdiction of the Board. Neither did he question, as he later did in his court petition, the right
or qualifications of the chairman and members of the Board and the legality of its creation. Due to
his malicious, distorted and misleading statements, the court was inveigled into issuing a preliminary
injunction to restrain an act that had already been consummated.

From the foregoing it is evident that respondent, far from observing absolute impartiality and
fairness in the discharge of his official duties, has even gone to the extent of allowing his office to
be used to favor his friends and to harass their enemies. Such conduct is highly censurable as it

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undermines the people’s faith and confidence in the administration of justice. Public officials should
at all times guard against suspicious of partiality, let alone situations savoring of persecution, in the
performance of their functions. In connection with the aforesaid special proceedings, it is likewise
evident that respondent, is wanting in honesty and is guilty of gross misconduct in office for brazenly
and maliciously twisting and misrepresenting, under oath, the true facts before a court of justice. By his
acts respondent has proved himself totally unfit to remain in the exalted office of a public prosecutor
which he has sworn to serve in all fidelity and fairness.

Wherefore, and in accordance with the recommendation of the Integrity Board, Mr. Cornelio S.
Ruperto is hereby removed from office as assistant city fiscal of Manila effective upon receipt of notice
hereof.

Done in the City of Manila, this 7th day of December, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-one, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the sixth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Assistant Executive Secretary

Source-. Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1951). Administrative Order No. 171: Removing Mr. Cornelio S. Ruperto from
office as Assistant Fiscal of the City of Manila. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines,
47(10), 6060-6062.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 172
DESIGNATING THE NATIONAL RIZAL DAY COMMITTEE

Whereas, the 55th anniversary of the martyrdom of the greatest Filipino hero and patriot, Jose
Rizal, falls on the 30th day of December, 1951; and

Whereas, Rizal’s life, labors and death constitute a source of inspiration in our program of
economic, moral, and spiritual reconstruction;

Now, therefore, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, do hereby call upon all the
people to observe the anniversary of Rizal’s death this year with appropriate ceremonies and programs
expressive of the pattern of service established by the immortal hero.

I hereby designate the National Rizal Day Committee composed of the following:

Hon. Carlos P. Romulo Chairman

Hon. Jose Figueras Member

Hon. Cecilio Putong

Dr. Vidal A. Tan

Hon. Manuel de la Fuente "

Hon. Antonio de las Alas "

Mr. Juan Nakpil "

Hon. Prudencio Langcauon "

Mrs. Maria Kalaw-Katigbak "

Dr. Herminio Velarde "

Mr. V. Lontok Executive Secretary

to organize and make all arrangements necessary for the fitting celebration of the day all over the
Philippines and secure the cooperation of all government and private instrumentalities to insure its
success.

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Done in the City of Manila, this 7th day of December, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-one, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the sixth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Assistant Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1951). Administrative Order No. 172: Designating the National Rizal Day
Committee. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 47(12), 6062-6063.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 173

AUTHORIZING THE PHILIPPINE AMERICAN GENERAL INSURANCE CO., INC. TO
BECOME A SURETY UPON OFFICIAL RECOGNIZANCES, STIPULATIONS, BONDS, AND

UNDERTAKINGS.

Whereas, section 1 of Act No. 536, as amended by Act No. 2206, provides that whenever any
recognizance, stipulation, bond or undertaking condition for the faithful performance of any duty
or of any contract made with any public authority, national, provincial, municipal, or otherwise,
or of any undertaking, or for the doing or refraining from doing anything in such recognizance,
stipulation, bond, or undertaking specified is, by the laws of the Philippines, or by the regulations
or resolutions of any public authority therein, required or permitted to be given with one surety
or with two or more sureties, the execution of the same or the guaranteeing of the performance
of the condition thereof shall be sufficient when executed or guaranteed solely by any corporation
organized under the laws of the Philippines, having power to guarantee the fidelity of persons
holding positions of public or private trust and to execute and guarantee bonds or undertakings in
judicial proceedings and to agree to the faithful performance of any contract or undertaking made
with any public authority;

Whereas, said section further provides that no head of department, court, judge, officer,
board, or body executive, legislative or judicial shall approve or accept any corporation as surety
on any recognizance, stipulation, bond, contract, or undertaking, unless such corporation has been
authorized to do business in the Philippines in the manner provided by the provisions of said Act
No. 536, as amended, nor unless such corporation has, by contract with the Government of the
Philippines, been authorized to become a surety upon official recognizances, stipulations, bonds, and
undertakings; and

Whereas, the Philippine American General Insurance Co., Inc. is a domestic corporation
organized and existing under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines and fulfills the conditions
prescribed by said Act No. 536, as amended;

Now, therefore, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers in me
vested by law, do hereby authorized the Philippine American General Insurance Co., Inc. to become
a surety upon official recognizances, stipulations, bonds and undertakings in such manner and under
such conditions as are provided by law, except that the total amount of immigration bonds that it may
issue shall not, at any time, exceed its admitted assets.

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Done in the City of Manila, this 7th day of December, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-one, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the sixth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Assistant Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1951). Administrative Order No. 173: Authorizing the Philippine American
General Insurance Co., Inc. to become a surety upon official recognizances, stipulations, bonds, and
undertakings. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 47(12), 6063-6064.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 174

AUTHORIZING THE UNITED INSURANCE COMPANY, INC. TO BECOME A SURETY UPON
OFFICIAL RECOGNIZANCES, STIPULATIONS, BONDS AND UNDERTAKINGS.

Whereas, section 1 of Act No. 536, as amended by Act No. 2206, provides that whenever any
recognizance, stipulation, bond or undertaking conditioned for the faithful performance of any duty
or of any contract made with any public authority, national, provincial, municipal, or otherwise,
or of any undertaking, or for the doing or refraining from doing anything in such recognizance,
stipulation, bond, or undertaking specified, is, by the laws of the Philippines or by the regulations
or resolutions of any public authority therein, required or permitted to be given with one surety
or with two or more sureties, the execution of the same or the guaranteeing of the performance
of the condition thereof shall be sufficient when executed or guaranteed solely by any corporation
organized under the laws of the Philippines, having power to guarantee the fidelity of persons
holding positions of public or private trust and to execute and guarantee bonds or undertakings in
judicial proceedings and to agree to the faithful performance of any contract or undertaking made
with any public authority;

Whereas, said section further provides that no head of department, court, judge, officer,
board, or body executive, legislative or judicial shall approve or accept any corporation as surety
on any recognizance, stipulation, bond, contract, or undertaking, unless such corporation has been
authorized to do business in the Philippines in the manner provided by the provisions of said Act
No. 536, as amended, nor unless such corporation has by contract with the Government of the
Philippines, been authorized to become a surety upon official recognizances, stipulations, bonds, and
undertakings; and

Whereas, the United Insurance Company, Inc. is a domestic corporation organized and existing
under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines and fulfills the conditions prescribed by said Act No. 536,
as amended;

Now, therefore, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers in
me vested by law, do hereby authorize the United Insurance Company, Inc. to become a surety upon
official recognizances, stipulations, bonds and undertakings in such manner and under such conditions
as are provided by law, except that the total amount of immigration bonds that it may issue shall not,
at any time, exceed its admitted assets.

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Done in the City of Manila, this 11th day of December, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-one, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the sixth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Assistant Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1951). Administrative Order No. 174: Authorizing the United Insurance Company,
Inc. to become a surety upon official recognizances, stipulations, bonds and undertakings. Official
Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 47(12), 6065-6066.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 175

DISMISSING THE CHARGES AGAINST DIRECTOR PABLO LUCAS OF THE BUREAU OF

PRINTING

This is an administrative case against Mr. Pablo Lucas, Director of Printing, who is charged by
certain officials and employees under him with selfishness, vindictiveness, lack of concern and affection
for his employees, favoritism, misappropriation of public funds and property, etc.

Considering the flimsy and personal nature of the charges in the main and the answer of
respondent supported by documentary evidence, the Integrity Board did not deem it necessary to hold
any hearing on the case. The only charge it considered worth looking into, that of respondent’s having
allegedly used mechanics and other employees of the Bureau of Printing to unpack and assemble
during office hours an automobile which he had received from his son-in-law in the United States,
was belied by the employees concerned in their sworn statements. The Board took occasion to observe
that the respondent is an exacting executive and strict disciplinarian, which circumstance may explain
complainants’ animosity towards him. In view thereof, it recommends that the charges be dismissed for
lack of merit. I have carefully gone over the record and I agree with the findings and recommendation
of the Board.

Wherefore, the charges filed against respondent Pablo Lucas are hereby dismissed.

Done in the City of Manila, this 12th day of December, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-one, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the sixth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Assistant Executive Secretary

Source-. Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1951). Administrative Order No. 175: Dismissing the charges against Director Pablo
Lucas of the Bureau of Printing. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 47(12), 6066.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 175-A

REPRIMANDING LT. COL. ANDRES O. CRUZ AND DISMISSING THE CHARGES AGAINST
LT. COL. VICTOR H. DIZON, ACTING ADMINISTRATOR AND ACTING DEPUTY
ADMINISTRATOR RESPECTIVELY, OF THE CIVIL AERONAUTICS ADMINISTRATION.

This is an administrative case against Lt. Cols. Andres O. Cruz and Victor H. Dizon, acting
administrator and acting deputy administrator, respectively, of the Civil Aeronautics Administration,
brought by Eliodoro de la Rosa, general counsel of the same office, charging the first with gross
misconduct in office, grave abuse of authority, active political participation and unlawful use of
government vehicle and the second with complicity (with the other respondent) in coercing the
complainant to resign and indifference towards the complainant when his co-respondent attached the
former and engaged him in a physical encounter. The charges were investigated by the Integrity Beard
which found those against Dizon not substantiated but found Cruz guilty of gross misconduct and
political activity.

It appears that for some time prior to January 9, 1951, there was a movement, of which
respondent Cruz was aware, to secure the appointment of civilians to manage the Civil Aeronautics
Administration then being run by military men. The personnel thereof was divided into two
factions, one for maintaining the status quo and the other favoring the change. Complainant, who
was apparently interested in the post of administrator, was identified with the latter group. A couple
of meetings of officials and employees were called by respondent Cruz to sound out, among other
things, their preference as to who among the respondents and complainant should run the office. In
the meeting held on the afternoon of January 9, 1951, Cruz suggested to complainant to go on leave in
order that he could work for his candidacy as administrator.

Acting on the suggestion, complainant submitted the next day an application for one month’s
vacation leave which was forthwith endorsed by respondent Cruz. Upon learning, however, that
complainant had more leave to his credit, Cruz insisted that the former exhaust all his leave on
condition that he submit his resignation to take effect at the expiration of his leave. Complainant
refused to comply with the condition invoking his rights as a classified civil service officer. Whereupon
Cruz tore the application and, after an exchange of hot words, stood up and boxed complainant on
the mouth. They grappled but were separated by some employees. Complainant left the room and went
to his desk but was followed by Cruz who persisted in further laying hands on him. Efforts of cooler
heads to prevent him from so doing proved to no avail. When finally they were separated, complainant,
who was the smaller of the two, emerged with several injuries which required medical attention.

It also appears that in violation of existing law and regulations respondent Cruz aided a candidate
for congressman in the Province of Bohol in the 1949 elections by contributing to the latter’s campaign
fund and asking his subordinates to do the same, which they did.

Aside from the violation of law and regulations already stated, it is evident that respondent
Cruz is guilty of conduct unbecoming a public officer. It is indeed regrettable that one in his high
position and who, as head of the office, albeit in a temporary capacity, was expected to observe more

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self-restraint, should be the first one to lose his equanimity and resort to violence, thereby creating a
scene in the office and disrupting the work therein.

Wherefore, and in accordance with the recommendation of the Integrity Board, Lt. Col. Andres O.
Cruz is hereby reprimanded and relieved of his duties as acting administrator of the Civil Aeronautics
Administration and returned to active duty in the armed forces, while the charges against Lt. Col.
Victor H. Dizon are hereby dismissed.

Considering the role played in the unhappy incident by complainant Eliodoro de la Rosa who,
to foster his ambition of becoming administrator of the Civil Aeronautics Administration, was
practically the moving spirit in the agitation for a change in the management of said office, I agree
with the Integrity Board that it is in the interest of the public service that said Eliodoro de la Rosa be
taken away from the Civil Aeronautics Administration and transferred to another branch or office of
the Government. The Secretary of Commerce and Industry and the Commissioner of Civil Service are
accordingly directed to find ways and means of effecting such transfer.

Done in the City of Manila, this 12th day of December, in the year of our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-one and of the Independence of the Philippines, the sixth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Assistant Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1951). Administrative Order No. 175-A: Reprimanding Lt. Col. Andres O. Cruz
and dismissing the charges against Lt. Col. Victor H. Dizon, acting administrator and acting deputy
administrator respectively, of the Civil Aeronautics Administration. Official Gazette of the Republic of
the Philippines, 87(12), 6063-6064.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 176

REMOVING MR. MARCIAL L. AGUIRRE FROM OFFICE AS ASSISTANT PROVINCIAL FISCAL

OF NEGROS OCCIDENTAL.

This is an administrative case against Assistant Provincial Fiscal Marcial L. Aguirre of Negros
Occidental filed by one Mrs. Felisa D. de Rosado charging him with conduct unbecoming a public
officer for having allegedly committed coercion, grave threats, etc. The charges were investigated by a
special committee appointed by the Solicitor General, and the respondent was given full opportunity to
present his side of the case. An examination of the evidence adduced by the parties shows the following
facts to have been duly established:

Sometime in 1947 the respondent filed two war damage claims, one for the complainant,
Mrs. Felisa D. de Rosado, and another for her husband, Dr. Felipe Rosado. Of her claim for P85,666.02
the War Damage Commission approved only P27,758.72 for which a check in the sum of P9,021.60
covering the initial payment of the approved claim was issued in her favor. Respondent demanded the
immediate payment of five per cent of the amount of the approved claim plus the legal fees of P2,100
previously agreed upon by them. The complainant and her husband were, however, willing to pay only
five per cent of the amount of the check and the balance upon receipt of the last payment from the War
Damage Commission. Dr. Rosado even proposed that the matter of respondent’s fees be referred to the
Commission for decision. The couple’s refusal to pay the amount demanded by the respondent and
Dr. Rosado’s proposal to refer the matter to the Commission aroused the ire of the respondent who
immediately demanded the production of the check. Upon getting hold of the check, respondent cut it
into two, took one-half thereof and gave the other half to Dr. Rosado, saying, “This is yours and this is
mine; let us see if you can cash it.” Shortly after, and in the heat of his anger respondent drew his pistol,
cocked it and pointed it to Dr. Rosado, at the same time uttering the following threatening words, “If
you will not give what amount I am asking now, I will gamble my life with you,” to which Dr. Rosado
replied, “We are not quarrelling; we will pay according to law.” Thereafter respondent put down his
revolver and went towards the balcony.

From the foregoing recital, there can be no doubt that the respondent is guilty of conduct
unbecoming a public officer. It is regrettable that one in his high position, who is reasonably to be
expected to exercise sett-control even under trying conditions, should be the first one to lose his
equanimity and composure at the slightest provocation and take the law into his own hands. He knew
there were courts of justice to which he could apply for redress of any wrong or injury he believed
might have been committed against him. As it is, a private citizen appears to have more respect for the
law than the respondent who is one of the law officers of the Government.

The report of the Investigating Committee contains the following statement: “He (respondent)
admitted and even insisted before this Committee that he should be entitled to professional fees and
other expenses in the total sum of P2,100 in addition of the 5 per cent claimed by him.” Section 108
of U. S. Public Law No. 370, otherwise known as the Rehabilitation Act of the Philippines, or the War
Damage Law, prohibits the payment of remuneration for services rendered in connection with any

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claim for compensation under the law at more than 5 per cent of the compensation paid, and prescribes
a penalty of not more than $5,000, or imprisonment of not more than twelve months, or both, for the
violation of this section. The respondent, as a prosecuting official of the Province of Negros Occidental,
in insisting as the Committee has stated in its report that he is entitled “to professional fees and other
expenses in the total sum of P2, 1 00 in addition to the 5 per cent claimed by him” did not only express
determination to violate the law but also to collect professional fees when he is not authorized to
practice law while in office. The spirit of the law is to limit the remuneration to 5 per cent so as to
permit the war sufferer to receive greater compensation for war damages. The record shows that the
respondent exhibited an unedifying and highly contemptible spirit by resorting to coercion to collect,
not 5 per cent as permitted by the law, which in this case would only be P451.08 on the basis of the
P9,02 1 .60 involved in the check in question, but P2,55 1 .08 or 28 per cent — thus unfairly and illegally
helping himself instead or helping the war sufferers whom as a public official he has a sworn duty to
assist and protect. By his acts, he has rendered himself totally unfit to remain in the public service,
especially in his position of public prosecutor.

Wherefore, Mr. Marcial L. Aguirre is hereby removed from office as assistant provincial fiscal of
Negros Occidental effective upon receipt of notice hereof.

Done in the City of Manila, this 14th day of December, in the year of our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-one, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the sixth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Assistant Executive Secretary

Source-. Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1951). Administrative Order No. 176: Removing Mr. Marcial L. Aguirre from office
as Assistant Provincial Fiscal of Negros Occidental. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines,
47(12), 6067-6068.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 177
EXONERATING COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS ALFREDO V. JACINTO.

This is an administrative case against Commissioner of Customs Alfredo V. Jacinto brought by
Pablo Ventura, Jr., a former customs secret service agent, for alleged (1) dereliction of duty in allowing
and tolerating the unloading and landing from the M/V Governor Smith , then docked at one of the
Manila harbors, of forty-one cases of cigarettes which were without the required internal revenue
stamps and (2) gross favoritism, unwarranted discrimination and scandalous abuse of authority for
laying off more qualified customs secret agents, including the complainant, judged by their efficiency,
academic attainments and record of service, and retaining these who were less qualified.

The charges were investigated by the Integrity Board and its findings and recommendation on the
matter have been submitted to me.

Regarding the first charge, the evidence shows that the cigarettes in question were merely returned
from Iloilo to the factory in Malabon, Rizal, for reprocessing because they had become unfit for sale.
As deduced by the Board, the stamps found missing in some of the cases must have been torn away
or detached in the course of the continuous handling of said cases from the place of shipment to their
final destination, considering that an internal revenue agent or representative is assigned in each and
every cigar and cigarette factory to see to it that no box or case of cigars and cigarettes leaves the
factory without the corresponding internal revenue strip stamps.

As to the other charge, it appears that complainant and others were laid off upon the
recommendation of a screening committee created by the respondent to select the employees to be
retained and those to be laid off in view of the abolition of many positions in the Bureau of Customs
by Executive Order No. 392, dated January 1, 1951; that in the particular case of the complainant, the
respondent decided to dispense with his services because of certain incidents reflecting on his honesty
and integrity, some of which reached the court and the city fiscal’s office of Manila and were brought
to his attention, thereby causing him to doubt complainant’s usefulness and to lose that confidence in
him which is absolutely necessary for his retention in the service as his position was confidential in
character.

Moreover, complainant apparently did not need his government position, for although he was
receiving only P135 a month as a customs secret service agent he was using a private car of his own in
going to the office and in performing his duties, he being the recipient, according to him, of a monthly
pension of P700.00 from his father, unlike his co-agents who had the same qualifications and efficiency
but who were depending exclusively on their government salary. Under the circumstances, the
respondent, in laying off the complainant, acted not only within the scope of his power and authority
and in the exercise of his sound discretion but also in the best interests of the service.

After a careful examination of the record, I fully concur in the recommendation of the Integrity
Board that, the charges not having been substantiated, the respondent be exonerated.

Wherefore, Commissioner of Customs Alfredo V. Jacinto is exonerated of the charges which are
hereby dropped for lack of merit.

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Done in the City of Manila, this 4th day of January, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-two, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the sixth.

(SGD.) ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

(SGD.) MARCIANO ROQUE
Acting Assistant Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1952). Administrative Order No. 177: Removing Mr. Felipe E. Jose from office as
Director of Labor. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 48(1), 11-12.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 178

DIRECTING THE HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS AND CHIEFS OF BUREAUS AND OFFICES
NOT TO INCUR EXPENDITURES BEYOND THE APPROPRIATIONS AUTHORIZED BY LAW
FOR THEIR RESPECTIVE DEPARTMENTS, BUREAUS OR OFFICES AND PRESCRIBING
PROCEDURE TO AVOID OVERDRAFTS.

Whereas, during the past years some administrative officials have authorized or countenanced
the incurrence of expenditures beyond the amounts appropriated by law for their respective
departments, bureaus or offices, thereby necessitating the submission to Congress of requests for
deficiency appropriations; and

Whereas, the Constitution provides that “no money shall be paid out of the Treasury except in
pursuance of an appropriation made by law”;

Now, therefore, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested
in me by law, do hereby order and direct all heads of Departments, chiefs of bureaus and offices and
other administrative officials concerned not to incur or authorize the incurrence of expenditures in
excess of the amounts appropriated by law for their respective departments, bureaus or offices. Parties
responsible for the incurrence of overdrafts shall be held personally liable therefor.

To prevent the incurrence of deficits, all heads of departments, and chiefs of bureaus and offices
shall submit to the Office of the President, through the Commissioner of the Budget, on or before
August 1st of every year a statement of the quarterly allotments of each item of appropriation for their
departments, bureaus or offices. The allotments must take into account the fluctuation of expenditures
due to seasonal and other causes. Unless due to unavoidable circumstances, expenditures during each
quarter must be limited to the allotments for each item. The excess of expenditures over the quarterly
allotments shall be covered by reduction of expenditures for succeeding quarters.

On or before the last day of the next month following every quarter, except the last, the heads
of departments, and chiefs of bureaus and offices shall submit to the Budget Commission, for
consolidation and submission to the Office of the President, a quarterly report of expenditures, showing
the increase or decrease of the expenditures, as compared with the allotment. In case expenditures have
exceeded the allotments by more than 10 per cent, the reasons for such increase should be given as well
as the steps to be taken to keep the total of the yearly expenditures within the appropriation.

The Commissioner of the Budget shall watch carefully the trend of income and expenditures.
Whenever the income shows a tendency to drop below the estimates to such a level that a deficit in
funds may result, the Commissioner of the Budget shall recommend to the President such curtailment
of expenditures as may be necessary to keep the expenditures within the actual income.

The Budget Commission shall implement the provisions of this Administrative Order and
prescribe the necessary forms therefor.

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Done in the City of Manila, this 6th day of February, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-two, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the sixth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1952). Administrative Order No. 178: Directing the heads of departments and chiefs
of bureaus and offices not to incur expenditures beyond the appropriations authorized by law for
their respective departments, bureaus or offices and prescribing procedure to avoid overdrafts. Official
Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 48(2), 499-500.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 179

CREATING A NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO TAKE CHARGE OF THE SIXTH ANNIVERSARY
CELEBRATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ON JULY 4, 1952.

Whereas, the Filipino people became a free and sovereign nation upon the proclamation and
inauguration of the Republic of the Philippines on the fourth of July, 1946; and

Whereas, to perpetuate the significance of that historical event, it is necessary that there be an
annual celebration in commemoration thereof;

Now, therefore, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested
in me by law, do hereby constitute and create a National Committee to formulate plans and devise
ways and means for the appropriate celebration of the Sixth Anniversary of the Republic of the
Philippines. The Committee shall be composed of the following:

Hon. J. M. Elizalde, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Chairman

Hon. Oscar Castelo, Secretary of Justice Vice-Chairman

Hon. Cornelio Balmaceda, Secretary of Commerce and Industry Member

Hon. Marciano Roque, Acting Executive Secretary Member

Hon. Asuncion Perez, President, The Civic Women’s Assembly

of the Philippines Member

Hon. Jose Camus, Undersecretary of Agriculture and

Natural Resources Member

Hon. Aurelio Quitoriano, Undersecretary of Labor Member

Hon. Arsenio Lacson, Mayor of Manila Member

Maj. Gen. Calixto Duque, Chief of Staff, Armed

Forces of the Philippines Member

Brig. Gen. Florencio Selga, Chief of Constabulary Member

Dr. Vidal A. Tan, President of the University of the Philippines Member

Hon. Teodoro Evangelista, President, Far Eastern University Member

Mr. Francisco Dalupan, President, University of the East Member

Hon. Antonio de las Alas, President, Philippine

Chamber of Commerce Member

Hon. Jorge B. Vargas, President, Boy Scouts of the Philippines Member

Mr. Modesto Farolan, Editor and Publisher, Philippines Herald Member

Mrs. Concepcion R. Gonzalez, President,

Girl Scouts of the Philippines Member

Mrs. Concepcion Henares, President, National Federation

of Women’s Clubs Member

Mr. Vicente Lontok, Technical Assistant and Chief,

General Affairs Division, Office of the President Executive Secretary

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The Committee shall meet at the call of the Chairman and, for the purpose of discharging its
functions, may create such sub-committees as may be necessary.

Done in the City of Manila, this 18th day of April, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
fifty-two, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the sixth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1952). Administrative Order No. 179: Creating a National Committee to take
charge of the Sixth Anniversary celebration of the Republic of the Philippines on July 4, 1952. Official
Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 48(4), 1262-1263.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 180

AUTHORIZING THE ALLIANCE INSURANCE & SURETY CO., INC., TO BECOME A SURETY
UPON OFFICIAL RECOGNIZANCES, STIPULATIONS, BONDS AND UNDERTAKINGS.

Whereas, Section 1 of Act No. 536, as amended by Act No. 2206, provides that whenever any
recognizance, stipulation, bond or undertaking conditioned for the faithful performance of any duty
or of any contract made with any public authority, national, provincial, municipal, or otherwise, or of
any undertaking, or for the doing or refraining from doing anything in such recognizance, stipulation,
bond, or undertaking specified, is, by the laws of the Philippines or by the regulations or resolutions
of any public authority therein, required or permitted to be given with one surety or with two or more
sureties, the execution of the same or the guaranteeing of the performance of the condition thereof
shall be sufficient when executed or guaranteed solely by any corporation organized under the laws of
the Philippines, having power to guarantee the fidelity of persons holding positions of public or private
trust and to execute and guarantee bonds or undertakings in judicial proceedings and to agree to the
faithful performance of any contract or undertaking made with any public authority;

Whereas, said section further provides that no head of department, court, judge, officer, board,
or body executive, legislative or judicial shall approve or accept any corporation as surety on any
recognizance, stipulation, bond, contract, or undertaking, unless such corporation has been authorized
to do business in the Philippines in the manner provided by the provisions of said Act No. 536, as
amended, nor unless such corporation has by contract with the Government of the Philippines, been
authorized to become a surety upon official recognizances, stipulations, bonds, and undertakings; and

Whereas, the Alliance Insurance & Surety Co., Inc., is a domestic corporation organized and
existing under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines and fulfills the conditions prescribed by said
Act No. 536, as amended;

Now, therefore, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers in me
vested by law, do hereby authorize the Alliance Insurance & Surety Co., Inc., to become a surety upon
official recognizances, stipulations, bonds and undertaking in such manner and under such contidions
as are provided by law, except that the total amount of immigration bonds that it may issue shall not,
at any time, exceed its admitted assets.

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Done in the City of Manila, this 24th day of April, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
fifty-two, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the sixth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1952). Administrative Order No. 180: Authorizing the Alliance Insurance & Surety
Co., Inc., to become a surety upon official recognizances, stipulations, bonds and undertakings. Official
Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 48(4), 1264-1265.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 181

REMOVING MR. EPIFANIO R. TUPAS FROM OFFICE AS JUSTICE OF THE PEACE OF SAGAY,

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL.

Mr. Epifanio R. Tupas, justice of the peace of Sagay, Negros Occidental, is charge with a number
of irregularities, including neglect of official duties, serious misconduct and vindictiveness. The charges
were investigated by the district judge who found the following facts to have been duly established:

Due to respondent’s unexplained absence from office after issuing the warrants of arrest, the
accused in criminal case Nos. 171 and 310 of his court, much as they wanted to file bonds for their
temporary release, were detained from March 18 to 20, 1947, and from August 28 to September 4,
1948, respectively. In another criminal case, that against Rosela Katalbas, defense counsel had to
travel a distance of eighty-three kilometers from Sagay to Bacolod City, where respondent maintains
his private law office, to secure the approval of the bond for the provisional liberty of the accused,
otherwise the latter would have been detained also for some time.

With regard to criminal case No. 171 above referred to, it appears that, upon learning on the
afternoon of March 22, 1947, that the accused therein had been released on bail by the municipal
mayor earlier that day, the respondent asked for the record of the case, tore the bail bond and ordered
the rearrest of the accused who was, however, subsequently set at liberty upon filing another bond.

In criminal case No. 222 for grave threats filed in respondent’s court on October 2, 1947, one of
the accused named Jovito Carmales could not walk, having been suffering from paralysis for a long
time. Respondent nevertheless prepared the affidavits of merit, gave due course to the complaint and
ordered the arrest of the accused, including Carmales who had to be carried from his barrio to the
municipal building. The case against Carmales was dismissed by the court of First Instance on motion
of the provincial fiscal based on the ground that said accused was seriously ill and could not even rise
from his bed on the date of the alleged commission of the offense.

It appears that way back in 1924 Carmales was one of the witnesses for the prosecution in a
case for murder against respondent’s father who was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment.
This fact was admittedly known to the respondent. No satisfactory explanation having been offered
by him for giving due course to the criminal action against Carmales, I am convinced, in the light of
surrounding circumstances, that he was impelled by no other motive than to wreak vengeance on one
of those responsible for the incarceration of his father.

The record also discloses that on August 25, 1950, the respondent was convicted by the Court of
First Instance of Negros Occidental in criminal cases Nos. 2408 and 2468 of violation of Republic. Act
No. 145 and was sentenced to pay a fine of P350 in the first case and P250 in the second.

From the foregoing it is evident that the respondent is guilty of the charges specified above. He
may even be held criminally liable for destroying the bail bond in question. The irregularities committed
by respondent render him totally unfit to remain in the judiciary. Moreover, by his conviction in the
aforesaid criminal cases he has became disqualified for the position he now occupies.

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Wherefore, and in line with the recommendations of the Undersecretary of Justice and the district
judge, Mr. Epifanio R. Tupas is hereby removed from office as justice of the peace of Sagay, Negros
Occidental, effective December 14, 1948, when he was ordered suspended from office.

Done in the City of Manila, this 30th day of April, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
fifty-two, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the sixth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1952). Administrative Order No. 181: Removing Mr. Epifanio R. Tupas from Office
as Justice of the Peace of Sagay, Negros Occidental. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines,
48(5), 1688-1689.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 182

REMOVING MESSRS. ARSENIO VILLANUEVA AND PEDRO S. NAJARRO FROM OFFICE AS
VICE-MAYOR AND ASSISTANT CHIEF OF POLICE, RESPECTIVELY, OF CEBU CITY

This is an administrative case against Messrs. Arsenio Villanueva and Pedro S. Najarro, vice-
mayor and assistant chief of police, respectively, of Cebu City, for alleged misconduct in office through,
falsification of public documents. The charge was investigated by the Integrity Board, through a special
investigator, which found the following facts to have been duly established:

That, implementing the directive of this Office and that of the Commissioner of Civil Service
for replacement of non-eligible patrolmen of the Cebu City police force by civil service eligibles,
Acting Mayor Elizalde dismissed a number of temporary patrolmen who were non-eligibles and
whose separation from the service was recommended by the acting chief of police because of their
unsatisfactory record;

That among those dismissed were patrolmen Margarito Palang, Leodegario Lopez, Melanio
Fuentebella, Wilfredo Rojo, Dalmacio Bacalso and Numeriano Teves, who were individually advised
by letters dated September 12, 1951, of the termination of their connection with the police force
effective at the close of business hours on September 15,1951;

That to counteract the effect of the dismissal order with respect to the above-named patrolmen
and save them from being separated from the service for lack of civil service eligibility, respondents,
conspiring with each other, made it appear that they had been appointed detectives and transferred to
the secret service division, where no civil service eligibility is required, since August, 1951, by virtue of
appointments signed by respondent vice-mayor, as acting mayor, which were dated August 13, 1951,
and made effective August 16, 1951, although they were prepared about the middle of September,
1951;

That before the issuance of these antedated appointments, respondent assistant chief of police
had called a conference of civil service eligible members of the detective force, following which he
recommended to his co-respondent the appointment of eligible detectives as patrolman and the
appointment of the six non-eligible temporary patrolmen as members of the detective force; and

That although the six patrolmen involved were ostensibly appointed and transferred to the detective
force as of August 16, 1951, they continued to render service and receive salary up to August, 31,
1951, as patrolmen.

In the light of the foregoing, the Integrity Board found the respondents guilty of the charge and
recommended their separation from the service. After going over the record, I fully agree with the
Board’s finding and recommendation. By their dishonest conduct in falsifying official records, both
respondents have shown that they are totally unfit to remain in the public service.

Wherefore, Messrs. Arsenio Villanueva and Pedro S Najarro are hereby removed from office as
vice-mayor and assistant chief of police, respectively, of Cebu City, effective upon receipt of notice
hereof, without prejudice to the taking of such criminal action against them as the facts of the case may
warrant.

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Done in the City of Manila, this 9th day of June, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
fifty-two, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the sixth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1952). Administrative Order No. 182: Removing Messrs. Arsenio Villanueva
and Pedro S. Najarro from office as vice-mayor and assistant chief of police, respectively, of Cebu
City. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 48(6), 2102-2103.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 183

FURTHER AMENDING ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 76, DATED DECEMBER 16, 1948,
AS AMENDED BY ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NOS. 104 AND 135 DATED
OCTOBER 21, 1949, AND OCTOBER 31, 1950, RESPECTIVELY, CREATING A
COMMITTEE TO IMPLEMENT EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 145, DATED JUNE 19, 1948,

AS AMENDED BY EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 190, DATED DECEMBER 16, 1948,
CONCERNING THE COLLECTION OF VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS FROM PUPILS
AND STUDENTS ENROLLED IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ELEMENTARY, SECONDARY AND
COLLEGIATE SCHOOLS WITH WHICH TO FINANCE THE RESTORATION OF THE RIZAL
HOME IN CALAMBA, LAGUNA, AND DAPITAN PARK IN ZAMBOANGA.

Administrative Order No. 78, dated December 16, 1948, as amended, concerning the collection of
voluntary contributions from pupils and students enrolled in public and private elementary, secondary
and collegiate schools with which to finance the restoration of the Rizal Home in Calamba, and
Dapitan Park in Zamboanga, insofar only as the composition of the committee is concerned, is hereby
further amended as follows:

The Secretary of Education Chairman

Dr. Manuel Lim Vice-Chairman

The Director of Public Schools Member

The Director of Private Schools Member

The Director of Public Libraries Member

The Provincial Governor of Laguna Member

The Provincial Governor of Zamboanga Member

Mr. Juan F. Nakpil Member

Mr. Joaquin de San Agustin Member

Dr. Herminio Velarde Member

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Done in the City of Manila, this 7th day of July, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
fifty-two, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the seventh.

(SGD.) ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

(SGD.) MARCIANO ROQUE
Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino,E. (1952). Administrative Order No. 183: Further amending Administrative Order No. 76,
dated December 16, 1948, as amended by Administrative Order Nos. 104 and 135 dated October 21,
1949, and October 31, 1950, respectively, creating a Committee to implement Executive Order No.
145, dated June 19, 1948, as amended by Executive Order No. 190, dated December 16, 1948,
concerning the collection of voluntary contributions from pupils and students enrolled in public and
private elementary, secondary and collegiate schools with which to finance the restoration of the Rizal
Home in Calamba, Laguna, and Dapitan Park in Zamboanga. Official Gazette of the Republic of the
Philippines, 48(7), 2551-2552.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 184

CONSIDERING AS HAVING RESIGNED PROVINCIAL TREASURER ANDRES AGCAOILI OF

QUEZON PROVINCE.

This is an administrative case against Mr. Andres Agcaoili, provincial treasurer of Quezon
Province, who is charged with having acquired without public bidding excessive supplies and materials
at exorbitant prices and used trust funds in the payment thereof. It is also charged that he purchased
Naric rice without proper authority, illegally disposed of part of the same on credit, used trust funds
for the purpose and failed to account for 130 sacks of rice, and that he was negligent in the proper
storage thereof, resulting in the deterioration of close to 900 sacks of rice.

After going over the record, I find that the charge of misuse of trust funds in the acquisition
of supplies and materials and Naric rice has not been sufficiently established and that respondent’s
explanation on the other alleged irregularities concerning the purchase, disposal, etc., of Naric rice may
be accepted as satisfactory.

As regards the charge that respondent acquired and carried in stock excessive supplies and
materials in violation of standing regulations, it appears that as of April 30, 1950, the total value of
supplies and materials held in stock by him was P547,538.06, which, on the basis of issues during the
fiscal year 1949, would take a number of years to consume.

In his explanation the respondent states, among other things, that the stock held by him is not
really so enormous as it would appear to be. He claims that on the basis of present-day prices and those
obtaining in 1941 it is only about as much as that carried before the war; that roughly one-half of the
articles were bought without his previous approval; that the papers bearing on the same were submitted
to him after all the prerequisites had been complied with and the transaction consummated in every
respect and all that was left for him to do was to approve, as he did, the corresponding vouchers to
satisfy accounting requirements. He further claims that had he not done so the amounts involved would
have been considered shortages in his accounts; that in all these purchases the property clerk, on whom
he had every reason to rely in view of the peculiar nature of the duties of the former, certified that the
quantity requisitioned did not exceed that needed for six months’ use; and that the provincial auditor,
whose duty it is to check excessive purchases, never questioned the quantities acquired.

Respondent’s explanation is not satisfactory. As stated at the outset, the stock held by him would
take years to consume, whereas the instructions explicitly limit it to that required by the service for six
months. It is therefore idle to attempt a comparison between the stock held before the war and that
after liberation. Moreover, as provincial treasurer he is responsible for the acquisition of necessary
supplies and materials for the province and the proper disbursement of provincial funds. Once he
affixed his signature to a given voucher he ratified the unauthorized act, if such was the case, of his
subordinates and thereby became co-responsible for the consequences. He may not therefore find relief
in the actuations of other officials or employees who assume separate liability under the law.

With respect to the charge that he paid excessive prices for the articles involved, resulting in losses
to the province, respondent states that the reasonableness of prices should be determined in the light

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of existing conditions at the time the purchase was made and that, in any event, the prices paid by him
were certified as reasonable by the former Procurement Office which, under the law, determines the
prices that should be paid by government offices.

Equally unsatisfactory is the respondent’s foregoing explanation. The record shows that most of
the purchases for which excessive prices were paid were made in 1949 and the early part of 1950.
While there may be justification for paying high prices in 1945 and the first half of 1946 when office
supplies were allegedly at a premium and prices were high, the same thing cannot be said of purchases
made in 1949 and early 1950 when there was an abundant supply and prices went down to more
reasonable levels. Moreover, as an experienced treasurer he should have consulted the Bureau of
Printing, instead of the Procurement Office, with respect to the reasonableness of prices of printed
matters, and could thereby have avoided the payment of exorbitant prices.

Relative to the alleged irregular procurement of these articles, respondent claims that in most
of the purchases either competitive bidding was held or canvassing of local prices was made. As the
regulations require public bidding, any other method adopted by him is illegal. Moreover, the evidence
submitted by him is not convincing that real public bidding was held. I am inclined to believe that there
was only a sham bidding so as to simulate compliance with existing regulations, and this was done
only with respect to the acquisition of some of the printed forms. As to the purchase of supplies and
materials and the other printed forms, neither public bidding nor canvassing of prices was resorted to.
Obviously, respondent’s explanation of this charge is not satisfactory.

The foregoing shows that Mr. Agcaoili has been grossly negligent in the discharge of his duties,
having been particularly lax in the supervision of his subordinates, as a consequence of which Quezon
Province suffered losses and accumulated a huge stock of supplies and materials worth over half a
million pesos which would take it a good number of years to consume. An overall appraisal of his case
convinces me that his retention in the service will not be in the public interest. Considering, however,
his long and continuous service in the Government for a span of more than half a century, his clean
and unblemished record until the commission or occurrence of these irregularities and the absence of
any indication that he profited personally from the transactions or anything that would even cast a
doubt on his honesty and integrity, I am inclined to view his case with some measure of leniency.

Wherefore, Mr. Andres Agcaoili is hereby considered as having resigned effective as of the date
of his suspension by reason of this case, without prejudice to receiving whatever retirement benefits he
may be entitled to under existing laws.

Done in the City of Manila, this 10th day of July, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
fifty-two, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the seventh.

(Sgd.) ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

(Sgd.) MARCIANO ROQUE
Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Malacanang Records Office

Office of the President of the Philippines. (1952). [Administrative Order Nos.: 51 - 266]. Manila:
Malacanang Records Office.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 185

CONSIDERING MR. FELIPE E. JOSE AS HAVING RESIGNED FROM OFFICE AS

DIRECTOR OF LABOR.

WHEREAS, under Administrative Order No. 161, dated July 7, 1951, Mr. Felipe E. Jose was
removed from office as Director of Labor;

WHEREAS, considering the length of time that has elapsed since the promulgation of said order,
it is believed that Mr. Jose has been sufficiently punished and that the public interest has already been
served;

WHEREAS, prior to the commission of the irregularities which gave rise to his removal, Mr. Jose
had rendered long and satisfactory service to the Government, and to deprive him of whatever benefit
might have accrued to him for such public service would be unduly harsh and oppressive;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ELPIDIO QUIRINO, President of the Philippines, do hereby modify
Administrative Order No. 161, dated July 7, 1951, by considering Mr. Felipe E. Jose as having
voluntarily resigned from office as Director of Labor, effective July 7, 1951.

Done in the City of Manila, this 11th day of July, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
fifty-two, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the seventh.

(Sgd.) ELPIDIO QUIRINO

By the President:

(Sgd.) MARCIANO ROQUE
Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Malacanang Records Office

Office of the President of the Philippines. (1952). [Administrative Order Nos.: SI - 266]. Manila:
Malacanang Records Office.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 186

EXONERATING SECRETARY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY CORNELIO BALMACEDA

This is an administrative case against the Honorable Cornelio Balmaceda, Secretary of Commerce
and Industry, brought by one Saturnino S. Monzon, charging the former with irregularity (1) issuing
a radiotelephone license to Major Ramon M. Zosa, pilot and personnel manager of the Philippine Air
Lines, (2) reversing the decision of the Radio Central Board suspending Major Zosa from flight for one
year and (3) dismissing the complaint against the latter. The charges were investigated by the Integrity
Board and in its report the Board recommended respondent’s complete exoneration.

As regard the charge that Major Ramon M. Zosa was given in 1949 a license to operate a
radiotelephone without having been subjected to a reexamination as required by the rules and
regulations governing the matter, the Board found that Major Zosa took and passed in 1947 the
corresponding examination for the issuance of a license to operate radiotelephone but did not care
to take such license at the time and secured only in 1949; that the regulation in force when he took
the examination fixed no time limit during which a successful examinee should get the license; and
that the new regulation issued in 1948 requiring reexamination should the successful examinee fail to
secure the license within six months after having been advised of the result of the examination was not
applicable to him because it was promulgated after he had already taken and passed the examination.

Regarding the other charges to the effect that Major Zosa should have been punished for
allegedly operating a radiotelephone without license and that respondent acted arbitrarily in reversing
and setting aside the precious decision finding the former guilty of said act, it has been shown that
Major Zosa merely “listened in” while acting as pilot or co-pilot on an aeroplane, which act, according
to expert opinion, did not constitute “operation” of radiotelephone within the contemplation of law.
In view thereof, the Board held that respondent acted within the law and in the lawful exercises of his
discretion when he reversed the previous decision finding Major Zosa guilty of the charge referred to
and exonerated him therefrom.

After going over the record, I fully concur in the findings and recommendation of the Integrity
Board.

In view of the foregoing, the Honorable Cornelio Balmaceda is hereby exonerated from the
charges filed against him.

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Done in the City of Manila, this 7th day of August, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-two, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the seventh.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1952). Administrative Order No. 186: Exonerating Secretary of Commerce and
Industry Cornelio Balmaceda. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 48(8), 3153-3154.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 187

DROPPING THE CHARGES AGAINST CITY ATTORNEY APOLINARIO E. SOGUECO OF

PASAY CITY

City Attorney Apolinario E. Sogueco is charged by Ruben Valenzuela and Romeo Gonzales with
dereliction of duty, partiality and favoritism for (1) deliberately allowing their complaint for physical
injuries with abuse of authority filed with his office against certain policemen of Pasay City to prescribe
due to protracted investigations thereof and (2) immediately filing a case in court against them, without
giving them a chance to be heard in the preliminary investigation, when said policemen filed against
them a complaint for rape which resulted in its dismissal for lack of merit.

After the respondent had filed his answer to the charges, the case was set for hearing by the
Integrity Board. At the hearing Ruben Valenzuela in his behalf and that of his co-complainant submitted
to the Board a written request for withdrawal of their complaint against the respondent, stating that
after mature deliberation they were convinced that he had acted in good faith and pursuant to the
dictates of his conscience. The Board granted the request after hearing respondent’s manifestation to
the effect that the investigation of the complaint filed by the complainants was conducted throughout
by his assistant.

Wherefore, and in accordance with the recommendation of the Integrity Board, the charges
against City Attorney Apolinario E. Sogueco of Pasay City are hereby dropped and said respondent
exonerated.

Done in the City of Manila, this 7th day of August, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-two, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the seventh.

(SGD.) ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

(SGD.) MARCIANO ROQUE
Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1952). Administrative Order No. 187: Dropping the charges against City Attorney
Apolinario E. Sogueco of Pasay City. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 48(8), 3155.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 188

DROPPING THE CHARGES AGAINST MESSRS. FELIPE CUADERNO AND RUFINO
TOLENTINO, DIRECTOR AND ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER, RESPECTIVELY, OF THE
BUREAU OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS.

This is an administrative case against Messrs, Felipe Cuaderno and Rufino Tolentino, director and
administrative officer, respectively, of the Bureau of Telecommunications, charging them with misuse
of public funds and property. After considering the complaint and respondents’ answer, supported
by documentary evidence, the Integrity Board deemed it unnecessary to conduct any hearing and
recommended dismissal of the case for lack of merit.

It is claimed that in 1947 respondents, in connivance with the postmaster of Cabanatuan, Nueva
Ecija, caused the sum of P2,500 of public funds to be spent for the expansion and improvement of
the latter’s house in that municipality (now city) to which the local post office was proposed to be
transferred. It turned out that the building was never occupied by the post office and the Government
is supposed to have suffered a loss of P2,500 for the cost of reconditioning the postmaster’s house.

An examination, however, of the papers submitted in this case shows that the transfer of the post
office from the house of Dr. Nicolas Valisno to the building owned by Mrs. Dolores Raymundo, wife of
the postmaster, was recommended by the Government Quarters Committee upon the recommendation
of the Military Provost Marshal; that the expenditure of P2,000, of which PI, 900 was actually spent,
for reconditioning said building was authorized by competent authorities who later on decided not to
transfer the post office thereto and to condone the amount spent thereon; and that respondents had
absolutely no intervention in the cancelation of the transfer or in the condonation of the amount of
PI, 900 spent on the building of Mrs. Raymundo as it was the Executive Secretary who did the same
upon the recommendation of the Secretary of Public Works and Communications.

It is also claimed that respondent Cuaderno has been using a government automobile in going
home and coming to the office and that no proper record has been made and kept of all surplus goods
received by the Bureau of Telecommunications from the Surplus Property Commission and of their
disposition and use. It appears, however, that the Secretary of Public Works and Communications
authorized him to use the automobile in question for making trips to his home and office and that all
surplus goods received by the Bureau of Telecommunications from the Surplus Property Commission
as well as their disposition and use were duly recorded.

In view of the foregoing, and in accordance with the recommendation of the Integrity Board, the
charges against Messrs. Felipe Cuaderno and Rufino Tolentino are dropped and said respondents are
hereby exonerated.

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Done in the City of Manila, this 7th day of August, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-two, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the seventh.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1952). Administrative Order No. 188: Dropping the charges against Messrs. Felipe
Cuaderno and Rufino Tolentino, Director and Administrative Officer, respectively, of the Bureau of
Telecommunications. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 48(8), 3156-3157.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 189

AUTHORIZING THE DOMESTIC INSURANCE COMPANY OF THE PHILIPPINES TO
BECOME A SURETY UPON OFFICIAL RECOGNIZANCES, STIPULATIONS, BONDS AND

UNDERTAKINGS.

Whereas, section 1 of Act No. 536, as amended by Act No. 2206, provides that whenever
any recognizance, stipulation, bond or undertaking conditioned for the faithful performance of any
duty or of any contact made with any public authority, national, provincial, municipal, or otherwise,
or of any undertaking, or for the doing or refraining from doing anything in such recognizance,
stipulation, bond, or undertaking specified, is, by the laws of the Philippines or by the regulations
or resolutions of any public authority therein, required or permitted to be given with one surety
or with two or more sureties, the execution of the same or the guaranteeing of the performance
of the condition thereof shall be sufficient when executed or guaranteed solely by any corporation
organized under the laws of the Philippines, having power to guarantee the fidelity of persons
holding positions of public or private trust and to execute and guarantee bonds or undertakings in
judicial proceedings and to agree to the faithful performance of any contract or undertaking made
with any public authority;

Whereas, said section further provides that no head of department, court, judge, officer,
board or body executive, legislative or judicial shall approve or accept any corporation as surety
on any recognizance, stipulation, bond contract, or undertaking, unless such corporation has been
authorized to do business in the Philippines in the manner provided by the provisions of said Act
No. 536, as amended, nor unless such corporation has by contract with the Government of the
Philippines, been authorized to become a surety upon official recognizances, stipulations, bonds, and
undertakings; and

Whereas, the domestic insurance company of the Philippines is a domestic corporation
organized and existing under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines and fulfills the conditions
prescribed by said Act No. 536, as amended.

Now, therefore, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers in me
vested by law, do hereby authorize the domestic insurance company of the Philippines to become
a surety upon official recognizances, stipulations, bonds and undertaking in such manner and under
such conditions as are provided by law, except that the total amount of immigration bonds that it may
issue shall not, at any time exceed its admitted assets.

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Done in the City of Manila, this 9th day of August, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-two, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the seventh.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1952). Administrative Order No. 189: Authorizing the Domestic Insurance
Company of the Philippines to become a surety upon official recognizances, stipulations, bonds and
undertakings. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 48(8), 3157-3158.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 190

CREATING A COMMITTEE TO TAKE CHARGE OF THE CELEBRATION OF NATIONAL
HEROES DAY ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 31, 1952.

Whereas, the last Sunday of August of every year is National Heroes Day under Act No. 3827;

Whereas, it is advisable that the day be observed with appropriate ceremonies in the best
traditions of our people;

Now, therefore, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested
in me by law, do hereby create a Committee to take charge of the celebration of National Heroes Day
on Sunday, August 31, 1952. The Committee shall be composed of the following:

Hon. Cecilio Putong, Secretary of Education Chairman

Dr. Leoncio B. Monzon, President of the Philippine Association

of Colleges and Universities Vice-Chairman

General Emilio Aguinaldo, Asociacion de los Veteranos de la

Revolucion Member

Judge Antonio Quirino, National Chairman, Confederation of

Filipino Veterans Member

Col. Jaime N. Ferrer, National Commander,

Philippine Veterans Legion Member

Hon. Jorge B. Vargas, President, Boy Scouts of the Philippines Member

Mr. Faustino Aguilar, President, Kapatirang Alagad

ni Bonifacio, Inc Member

Mrs. Concepcion R. Gonzales, President, Girl Scouts of

the Philippines Member

Mrs. Concepcion Henares, President, National Federation

of Women’s Clubs Member

Mr. Juan Nakpil, Supreme Commander, Knights of Rizal Member

Col. Dionisio Ojeda, PEFTOK Commander, 10th BCT Member

Dr. Patrocinio Valenzuela, Dean of the College of Pharmacy,

University of the Philippines Executive Secretary

The Committee shall meet at the call of the Chairman, and for the purpose of discharging its
functions, may create such sub-committee as may be necessary.

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Done in the City of Manila, this 1 1th day of August, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-two, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the seventh.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1952). Administrative Order No. 190: Creating a Committee to take charge of the
celebration of National Heroes day on Sunday, August 31, 1952. Official Gazette of the Republic of
the Philippines, 48(8), 3158-3159.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 191

REMOVING MR. ASAAD USMAN FROM OFFICE AS JUSTICE OF THE PEACE OF SIASI AND

TAPUL, SULU.

Justice of the Peace Asaad Usman of Siasi and Tapul, Sulu, is charged with extortion, terrorism,
land grabbing, illegal collection of rentals and immorality. During the investigation, however, the
complainant, Indasan Napii, confined his evidence to the charges of extortion and illegal collection of
rentals. Of these two charges, the Secretary of Justice found only that of extortion to have been fully
substantiated.

Several persons took the witness stand and testified on respondent’s alleged extortion activities,
but of the many illegal exactions supposedly perpetrated by the respondent, the Secretary of Justice
found only three as sufficiently proved, to wit:

(1) Sometime in 1947 Hatib Usman, a contact man of the respondent, approached one Maharajah
Ajan in the municipal district of Siasi, Sulu, and told him that there was a pending criminal complaint
against him in respondent’s court for a certain offense allegedly committed by him during the
occupation. Ajan countered that it was probably a frame-up. Whereupon Hatib told Ajan not to worry
because if he would give respondent P50 the complaint would be dropped. When Ajan told Hatib that
he did not have the means, the latter remarked that he had better think it over carefully because if he
did not produce the necessary amount he would be sent to jail. Ajan had no other recourse than to
look for money. It was from one Leonardo Dimerin, a former school teacher, that he was able to secure
a loan of P50. Ajan then delivered the amount of Hatib, after which they proceeded to respondent’s
house. Ajan categorically stated having actually seen Hatib hand over the said amount to respondent.
Dimerin confirmed that Ajan had borrowed P50 from him.

(2) Another victim of respondent was a Mohammedan priest named Hatib Abdulgani Malik. It
appears that one day Malik went to respondent’s court in Siasi to file a complaint against Moro Jayari
Adin because of the latter’s alleged refusal to deliver to him his share of the coconuts harvested from
his land by Adin. Respondent told Malik to pay P25 for the complaint which the latter immediately
paid to the former, who added that his case was not of a very serious nature, otherwise the fee would
have been more. After receiving the money, for which no official receipt was issued, the respondent told
Malik to go home and not to worry about the case, as he would call for the accused Adin. However,
despite repeated requests from Malik for positive action against the accused, respondent failed to take
any action on the complaint.

(3) It has likewise been established that sometime in 1948 herein complainant Napii was arrested
by a group of constabulary soldiers somewhere in Sulu and brought before the respondent who ordered
him to proceed with the soldiers to Tapul (part of respondent’s circuit) to answer a charge pending
against him for a crime supposedly committed by him during the occupation. In the investigation of
the case only one witness testified against Napii. After the investigation, respondent and Napii went for
a walk along the seashore in the course of which respondent required Napii to give him P50 which the
latter gave right then and there. Upon receiving the money, respondent directed Napii to see Lieutenant

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Nuega and tell him that respondent had set him (Napii) free. After verifying the truth of respondent’s
order, the lieutenant immediately ordered Napii’s release. According to Lieutenant Nuega, he was
informed by Napii that the latter had paid respondent P50 as consideration of his release.

The records of the Department of Justice show that for the last several year there has never been
a time that there is no administrative complaint pending against the respondent. In fact right now there
are still several charges against him pending investigation. It also appears that in 1949 respondent was,
in another administrative case, recommended for dismissal from the service by the District Judge of
Sulu but, upon the recommendation of the Secretary of Justice then, he was given by me the benefit
of the doubt and exonerated, with an admonition, however, to be more careful in the discharge of his
duties in the future. Said case had apparently no deterrent effect upon him as shown by the fact that
complaint after complaint has since then continued to be filed against him.

In view of the foregoing, the Secretary of Justice recommends respondent’s removal for the good
of the service. After going over the records of the case, I finally concur in the Secretary’s findings and
recommendations.

Wherefore, Mr. Asaad Usman is hereby removed from office as justice of the peace of Siasi and
Tapul, Sulu, effective upon receipt of notice hereof.

Done in the City of Manila, this 5th day of September, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-two, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the seventh.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source-. Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1952). Administrative Order No. 191: Removing Mr. Asaad Usman from Office as
Justice of the Peace of Siasi and Tapul, Sulu. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 48(9),
3733-3735.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 192

REPRIMANDING SUGAR QUOTA ADMINISTRATOR VICENTE G. BUNUAN.

This is an administrative case against Sugar Quota Administrator Vicente G. Bunuan concerning
his actuations in connection with the issuance by him of certain orders regarding “C” sugar.

On January 3, 1952, respondent was instructed by my office that “sugar produced by individual
regular quota planters or millers, in excess or their total “A” or U.S. export and “B” or domestic
allotments, and sugar produced by non-quota planters, known as emergency planters, may be
considered ‘C’ or reserve sugar to be used by the holder of quedan thereof during the 1951-52 crop
year, for export to the United States or to countries other than the United States, or to fill shortages
in domestic allotments.” He was also instructed to “advise the Export Control Committee of the
exportable ‘C’ sugar as above described which should be taken only from the sugar crop of 1951-52
and from the sugar that has automatically become non-status sugar from the 1950-51 crop.”

It appears, however, that in implementing the above directive respondent provided in his
Sugar Order No. 4, dated January 18, 1952, that non-status sugar from the 1950-51 crop should
be considered part of the 1951-52 crop of the planter or miller thereof for the purpose of filling
up completely his or its “A” and “B” quotas, after which any excess should be considered as “C”
sugar and available for export or for the filling of shortages in domestic allotments. This was in
contravention of my instruction, his order having the effect of diminishing, if not eliminating, the
available “C” sugar.

Explaining his failure to consult my office before issuing Sugar Order No. 4, respondent
stated that he thought he was merely following the directive, that he had sufficient discretion in
the premises and that said order was approved by the Secretary of Commerce and Industry. As
his order withdrew from availability for exportation to countries other than the United States, a
portion however negligible, of non-status and, what is more important, as the matter involved a
national policy, the more discreet course for him to have taken, before issuing the disputed order,
was to ascertain from my office the correctness of his interpretation of the instructions given him.
His omission to do what was reasonably expected of him amounts to negligence in the performance
of his duties. Considering, however, that respondent appears to have acted in good faith, he deserves
some measure of leniency.

Wherefore, Mr. Vicente G. Bunuan is hereby reprimanded and warned to be more careful in the
discharge of his duties in the future; otherwise, a more drastic action will be taken against him in case
of repetition of the same or similar irregularity. His suspension is hereby lifted and he is reinstated in
office, effective as of August 9, 1952, without right to receive salary equivalent to one month’s pay
during the period of his suspension.

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Done in the City of Manila, this 10th day of Sept., in the year of Our Lord, nineteen and fifty-
two, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the seventh.

(SGD.) ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

(SGD.) MARCIANO ROQUE
Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1952). Administrative Order No. 192: Reprimanding Sugar Quota Administration
Vicente G. Bunuan. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 48(9), 3735-373 6.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 193

ON THE ADMINISTRATIVE CASE OF FORMER GOVERNOR PERFECTO FAYPON OF

ILOCOS SUR.

During the incumbency of Mr. Perfecto Faypon as provincial governor of Ilocos Sur administrative
charges involving dishonesty, misconduct in office and irregularity in the administration of the
provincial jail were filed against him. These charges were investigated by the Integrity Board which
found only the last one to have been substantiated.

It appears that on February 13, 1947, four insular prisoners, two of whom had been sentenced
to die and the other two, to life imprisonment, escaped from the provincial jail of Ilocos Sur. These
prisoners had been convicted since April and December 1946. According to the respondent, said
prisoners were not sent to the New Bilibid Prison within the period prescribed by prison regulations
because the practice was to send prisoners to the insular penitentiary in groups of from twelve to
twenty for the sake of economy.

This is an admission of inexcusable irregularity in the administration of the provincial prison.
The record shows that there had been no attempt to send the prisoners to Muntinlupa for a period of
from two to ten months, giving occasion to the four prisoners above mentioned to escape, resulting
in the frustration of the administration of justice and the creation of a serious threat to the peace and
security of the community. Only one of these dangerous criminals has so far been recaptured. Had
these prisoners been sent to Muntinlupa within the period of thirty days fixed in the regulations, most
likely they would have had no opportunity to escape.

It also appears that on June 4, 1950, five detention prisoners charged with robbery in band and
murder escaped after attacking the guard, three of whom were killed in the course of their recapture
by constabulary soldiers. From the evidence on record, it is clear that the provincial jail had not been
properly administered and kept.

The acts committed by respondent, which constitute irregularity in the administration of
the provincial jail and gross negligence in the custody of prisoners, call for the imposition of an
administrative penalty heavier than the period of his suspension from office from November 13 to
December 31, 1951, the expiration of his term of office. Considering, however, that he is no longer in
office, the period of his suspension without salary shall be deemed a sufficient punishment.

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Done in the City of Manila, this 1 1th day of September, in the year or Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-two, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the seventh.

(Sgd.) ELPIDIO QUIRINO

By the President:

(Sgd.) MARCIANO ROQUE
Acting Executive Secretary

Source-. Malacanang Records Office

Office of the President of the Philippines. (1952). [Administrative Order Nos.: 51 - 266]. Manila:
Malacanang Records Office.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 194

MODIFYING ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 184, DATED JULY 10, 1952, BY CONSIDERING
PROVINCIAL TREASURER ANDRES AGCAOILI OF QUEZON PROVINCE AS HAVING

RESIGNED EFFECTIVE JULY 10, 1952.

Whereas, under Administrative Order No. 184, dated July 10, 1952, Provincial Treasurer
Andres Agcaoili of Quezon Province was considered as having resigned effective as of the date of his
suspension on August 24, 1950, by reason of his administrative case, “without prejudice to receiving
whatever retirement benefits he may be entitled to under existing laws”;

Whereas, Mr. Agcaoili, for the reasons stated in his petition, requests that he be considered as
having resigned effective on the date of the issuance of said order, or on July 10, 1952, so as to entitle
him to the benefits of Republic Act No. 660 which went into effect on June 16, 1951;

Whereas, considering the long and continuous service in the Government of Mr. Agcaoili
for more than fifty years and his satisfactory record prior to the commission or occurrence of the
irregularities which gave rise to his administrative case, which irregularities did not affect his honesty
and integrity, it is believed that he may be given the benefits of Republic Act No. 660;

Now, therefore, I, ELPIDIO QUIRINO, President of the Philippines, do hereby modify
Administrative Order No. 184, dated July 10, 1952, by considering Mr. Andres Agcaoili as having
resigned effective on July 10, 1952, without prejudice to receiving whatever retirement benefits he
may be entitled to under existing laws, but without right to receiving salary during the period of his
suspension by reason of his administrative case.

Done in the City of Manila, this 23rd day of September, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-two, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the seventh.

(Sgd.) ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

(Sgd.) MARCIANO ROQUE
Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Malacanang Records Office

Office of the President of the Philippines. (1952). [Administrative Order Nos.: SI - 266]. Manila:
Malacanang Records Office.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 195

MODIFYING ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 185-A, DATED JULY 15, 1952, BY
CONSIDERING PROVINCIAL TREASURER CEFERINO R. DINO OF CAMARINES NORTE AS
HAVING RESIGNED EFFECTIVE JULY 15, 1952.

Whereas, under Administrative Order No. 185-A, dated July 15, 1952, Provincial Treasurer
Ceferino R. Dino of Camarines Norte was considered as having resigned effective as of the date of his
suspension on August 11, 1950, by reason of his administrative case, “without prejudice to receiving
whatever benefits he may be entitled to under the law”;

Whereas, Mr. Dino requests, for the reasons stated in his petition, that he be considered as
having resigned effective on the date of the issuance of said order, or on July 15, 1952, so as to
entitle him to the benefits of the new retirement law (Rep. Act No. 660) which went into effect on
June 16, 1951; and

Whereas, considering the long service in the Government of Mr. Dino for more than forty years
and the absence of any indication that he profited personally from the transactions involved which gave
rise to his administrative case, it is believed that he may be given the benefits of Republic Act No. 660;

Now, therefore, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, do hereby modify
Administrative Order No. 185-A, dated July 15, 1952, by considering Mr. Ceferino R. Dino as having
resigned effective on July 15, 1952, without prejudice to receiving whatever benefits he may be entitled
to under existing laws, but without right to receiving salary during the period of his suspension by
reason of his administrative case.

Done in the City of Manila, this 29th day of October, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-two, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the seventh.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1952). Administrative Order No. 173: Modifying Administrative Order No. 185-
A, dated July 15, 1952, by considering Provincial Treasurer Ceferino R. Dino of Camarines Norte as
having resigned effective July 15, 1952. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 48(10),
4234-4235.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 196

AUTHORIZING THE PHILIPPINE PHOENIX SURETY &r INSURANCE, INCORPORATED TO
BECOME A SURETY UPON OFFICIAL RECOGNIZANCES, STIPULATIONS, BONDS AND

UNDERTAKINGS.

Whereas, section 1 of Act No. 536, as amended by Act No. 2206, provides that whenever any
recognizance, stipulation, bond or undertaking conditioned for the faithful performance of any duty
or of any contract made with any public authority, national, provincial, municipal or otherwise,
or of any undertaking, or for the doing or refraining from doing anything in such recognizance,
stipulation, bond, or undertaking specified, is, by the laws of the Philippines or by the regulations
or resolutions of any public authority therein, required or permitted to be given with one surety
or with two or more sureties, the execution of the same or the guaranteeing of the performance
of the condition thereof shall be sufficient when executed or guaranteed solely by any corporation
organized under the laws of the Philippines, having power to guarantee the fidelity of persons
holding positions of public or private trust and to execute and guarantee bonds or undertakings in
judicial proceedings and to agree to the faithful performance of any contract or undertaking made
with any public authority;

Whereas, said section further provides that no head of department, court, judge, officer,
board, or body executive, legislative or judicial shall approve or accept any corporation as surety
on any recognizance, stipulation, bond contract, or undertaking, unless such corporation has been
authorized to do business in the Philippines in the manner provided by the provisions of said Act
No. 536, as amended, nor unless such corporation has by contract with the Government of the
Philippines, been authorized to become a surety upon official recognizances, stipulations, bonds, and
undertakings; and

Whereas, the Philippine Phoenix Surety & Insurance, Incorporated is a domestic corporation
organized and existing under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines and fulfills the conditions
prescribed by said Act No. 536, as amended.

Now, therefore, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers in me
vested by law, do hereby authorize the Philippine Phoenix Surety & Insurance, incorporated to become
a surety upon official recognizances, stipulations, bonds and undertaking in such manner and under
such conditions as are provided by law, except that the total amount of immigration bonds that it may
issue shall not, at any time, exceed its admitted assets.

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Done in the City of Manila, this 29th day of October, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-two, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the seventh.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1952). Administrative Order No. 196: Authorizing the Philippine Phoenix Surety
& Insurance, Incorporated to become a surety upon official recognizances, stipulations, bonds and
undertakings. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 48(10), 4235-4236.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 197

AUTHORIZING THE RELIANCE SURETY & INSURANCE COMPANY, INCORPORATED TO
BECOME A SURETY UPON OFFICIAL RECOGNIZANCES, STIPULATIONS, BONDS AND

UNDERTAKINGS.

Whereas, section 1 of Act No. 536, as amended by Act No. 2206, provides that whenever any
recognizance, stipulation, bond or undertaking conditioned for the faithful performance of any duty
or of any contract made with any public authority, national, provincial, municipal, or otherwise,
or of any undertaking, or for the doing or refraining from doing anything in such recognizance,
stipulation, bond, or undertaking specified, is, by the laws of the Philippines or by the regulations
or resolutions of any public authority therein, required or permitted to be given with one surety
or with two or more sureties, the execution of the same or the guaranteeing of the performance
of the condition thereof shall be sufficient when executed or guaranteed solely by any corporation
organized under the laws of the Philippines, having power to guarantee the fidelity of persons
holding positions of public or private trust and to execute and guarantee bonds or undertakings in
judicial proceedings and to agree to the faithful performance of any contract or undertaking made
with any public authority;

Whereas, said section further provides that no head of department, court, judge, officer,
board, or body executive, legislative or judicial shall approve or accept any corporation as surety
on any recognizance, stipulation, bond contract, or undertaking, unless such corporation has been
authorized to do business in the Philippines in the manner provided by the provisions of said Act
No. 536, as amended, nor unless such corporation has by contract with the Government of the
Philippines, been authorized to become a surety upon official recognizances, stipulations, bonds, and
undertakings; and

Whereas, the Reliance Surety & Insurance Company, Incorporated is a domestic corporation
organized and existing under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines and fulfills the conditions
prescribed by said Act No. 536, as amended.

Now, therefore, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers in me
vested by law, do hereby authorize the Reliance Surety & Insurance Company, Incorporated to become
a surety upon official recognizances, stipulations, bonds and undertaking in such manner and under
such conditions as are provided by law, except that the total amount of immigration bonds that it may
issue shall not, at any time, exceed its admitted assets.

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Done in the City of Manila, this 29th day of October, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-two, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the seventh.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1952). Administrative Order No. 197: Authorizing the Reliance Surety & Insurance
Company, Incorporated to become a surety upon official recognizances, stipulations, bonds and
undertakings. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 48(10), 4236-4237.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 198
SUSPENDING MR. PONCIANO REYNA FROM OFFICE AS PROVINCIAL
TREASURER OF ANTIQUE

This is an administrative case against Mr. Ponciano Reyna, provincial treasurer of Antique, for his
participation in the commission of alleged irregularities in the acquisition by the Province of Cebu of
supplies, materials and equipment during his incumbency as assistant provincial treasurer thereof.

The record shows that from January 1947 to April 1948 the Province of Cebu bought without
public bidding from private dealers an enormous quantity of supplies, materials and equipment worth
P933,826.92 and that in some cases overpayments were made.

As regards the charge that Dealer Alonso de la Pena was overpaid in certain purchases made from
him, which appears to be more serious, respondent explains, among other things, that the additional
payment of P950 was made to said dealer in connection with the purchase of 1,000 bottles of stamping
ink as a matter of justice in the light of other transactions. Respondent’s explanation is not satisfactory.
When De la Pena accepted payment at the rate of P.55 per bottle, it is presumed that that price was
satisfactory to him, his bid offer of PI. 01 per bottle notwithstanding. Moreover, the same merchandise
could have been acquired from either Tabla Athletic Supply or Juan P. Juan who had both offered P.90
per bottle, which would have meant a saving of P600 for the province.

Relative to the purchase of 38 filing cabinets for which the same dealer was paid P384 per unit
instead of P374, his bid price, respondent states that the difference of P10 per cabinet had to be paid
because De la Pena refused to sell the cabinets at P374 upon learning that the price of the Procurement
Office was P340 and that over and above this price local dealers were allowed 10 per cent profit,
excluding freight charges from Manila to destination. This explanation is also unsatisfactory. If it was
true that De la Pena had refused to sell at his quoted price of P374, the filing cabinets could have been
obtained from either Abraham & Co. or Valeriano Alonso whose offer was P375 per unit. Better still,
they should have been ordered from the Procurement Office at P340, as the price F.O.B. Cebu would
have been considerably lower than P375 per unit.

Equally unsatisfactory is his explanation regarding the additional payment to De la Pena of
P2,000 for the 20,000 press-board folders previously purchased and paid for at PI each, or an increase
of ten centavos per unit. The fact that the province paid PI. 15 a piece to another dealer does not justify
the increase in the price paid in previous transactions already consummated in every respect, as there
might have been circumstances that operated to increase the price for later purchases over that for
previous ones. Respondent’s invariable plea that what he had done in these transactions was sanctioned
by the provincial treasurer and the provincial auditor neither cures the irregularity nor in any way
mitigates his administrative responsibility therefor, more so as regards this particular transaction which
took place while Provincial Treasurer Laya was in Lanao on a leave of absence.

As to his participation in the excessive purchases of supplies and materials, although as assistant
provincial treasurer he must respect the decision of the provincial treasurer in any matter, he is not
under obligation to affix his initials on transactions to which he disagrees; otherwise he becomes

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vco-responsible with the provincial treasurer for the consequences. Obviously untenable are his
allegations that the affixing of his initials on the vouchers submitted to the provincial treasurer was
merely routinary and that he had no time to check up the statements made by the clerks assigned to the
property division

Respondent’s explanation relative to the charge that he had abused the authority given him by the
provincial treasurer in connection with the purchase of equipment to be used in the assessment revision
work is not entirely satisfactory. He should have proposed the acquisition of the excess typewriters
to other provincial offices in need thereof instead of assenting to subsequent purchases of the same
article by other offices. As to the alleged irregular acquisition of the equipment involved, I find that the
urgency in the acquisition of the typewriters claimed by respondent to exculpate him is more fancied
than real, as they were used months after the actual field work had been started. Considering the
abundant means of communication between Cebu and Manila, there can be no justification for such
emergency purchase and a departure from the procedure prescribed by law and the regulations.

Although there is nothing in the record to show conclusively that respondent profited pecuniarily
from these irregular transactions, yet, from the photographs submitted by Treasurer Laya and the
latter’s statements and specifications of dates contained in his reply to the same charge of over-payment
treated above, one may reasonably draw the conclusion that the Reynas and the De la Penas were
familiar to a degree that impelled respondent to maliciously favor De la Pena, from whom the major
portion of the articles bought from local dealers came, to the prejudice of the Government. I also find
that he abused the confidence reposed on him by his former superior, Provincial Treasurer Laya, by
favoring Dealer De la Pena and allowing extraneous considerations to influence his official actuations,
resulting in losses to the Province of Cebu.

In view of all the foregoing, respondent Ponciano Reyna is hereby suspended from office as
provincial treasurer of Antique without pay for a period of six months, with a warning that commission
of similar irregularities in the future will be dealt with more severely.

Done in the City of Manila, this 4th day of November, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-two, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the seventh.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1952). Administrative Order No. 198: Suspending Mr. Ponciano Reyna from office
as Provincial Treasurer of Antique. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 48(11), 4744-
4746.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 199

SUSPENDING MR. UBALDO D. LAYA FROM OFFICE AS PROVINCIAL TREASURER OF

ORIENTAL MISAMIS.

Mr. Ubaldo D. Laya, provincial treasurer of Oriental Misamis, stands charged with irregularities
in connection with the acquisition of supplies, materials and equipment while he was holding the same
position in the Province of Cebu.

The record shows that during the period from January 1947 to April 1948 respondent made
excessive, unnecessary and irregular purchases of supplies, materials and equipment amounting to
P933,826.92. He also appears to have made overpayments in some instances.

Explaining the huge acquisition, respondent states that the quantity was deemed necessary in the
interest of the public service, considering the then existing conditions; that calls for bids were made in
certain cases, and the prices secured thereunder were used in subsequent purchases of like articles; that
in view of his multifarious duties and failing health he had to rely on the work of his subordinates who
should be held answerable for the irregularities; and that vouchers covering payment were passed in
audit by the provincial auditor and the unconditional approval by the Department of Finance of some
requisitions submitted for action was “understood and considered to include the reasonableness of the
prices and mode of acquisition as well as the quantity of supplies requisitioned.”

Respondent’s explanation is not satisfactory. The regulations are clear enough as to the quantity
of supplies that may be carried in stock and the manner they should be acquired, to wit, through public
bidding. It should at least have occurred to him to consult the Secretary of Finance before deviating
therefrom. Even conceding the existence of conditions which would justify a deviation from the
procedure indicated in existing regulations, purchases should have been limited to articles absolutely
needed to enable the different offices to perform their normal functions. Respondent’s attempt to
shift responsibility to his subordinates is obviously untenable, as he is primarily charged by law with
the acquisition of necessary supplies, materials and equipment for the province. He should not have
depended on, let alone subordinated his own judgment to, the initiative of any other official or officials
as they assume individual responsibility for their acts.

As regards the particular acquisition of 300 air-brush pictures costing PI 8,000 for use of the
elementary schools, payment of which was advanced from provincial funds, he knew or should have
known, considering his long connection with the treasury service, that requisitions for school supplies
and equipment payable from national funds must be signed by the division superintendent of schools
as requisitioning officer and not by him, and thereafter submitted to the proper school authorities for
approval. Furthermore, provincial funds may be used only for provincial purposes in pursuance of
appropriations duly authorized by the provincial board.

Relative to the purchase of 4,500 cans of unserviceable soap saddle with a total cost of P47,025,
considering the big amount involved, he should have taken pains to verify the correctness of the
dealer’s representations instead of relying blindly thereon, especially so since there was no urgency in
acquiring those articles. Respondent’s explanation regarding the purchase of equipment for the office

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of the provincial assessor is satisfactory except as to the alleged urgency justifying its procurement in an
unauthorized manner, considering the sufficiently long time in which he could have made arrangements
for its acquisition in the prescribed manner.

With respect to the overpayments made to Dealer Alonso de la Pena for the purchase of
1,000 bottles of stamping ink, 38 steel filing cabinets and 20,000 press-board folders for which the
respondent and Provincial Treasurer Ponciano Reyna, then his assistant, are being made to account, his
explanation that he had no participation therein other than to affix his signature on the vouchers after
having been satisfied that Reyna had initialed or signed the same, is far from satisfactory. As provincial
treasurer he is responsible for the disbursements of provincial funds. In fairness, however, to him, let it
be stated in this connection that he was the victim of abuse of confidence on the part of his assistant,
who allowed extraneous considerations to influence his official actuations. Separate disciplinary action
is being taken against Mr. Reyna.

Mr. Laya has long been in the service and is one of the most experienced among the provincial
treasurers. Until the commission or occurrence of the irregularities treated above, there was no blot
in his record. There is nothing in this case that would impugn his honesty and integrity or even cast a
doubt thereon. Neither have the investigators of the General Auditing Office and the Department of
Finance found any evidence showing bad faith or dishonesty on his part. There is, however, enough to
show that he was negligent in the performance of his duties and was too lax in the hands of dealers, as
a result of which the Province of Cebu suffered losses estimated at more than P200,000. Consequently,
I am constrained to take disciplinary action against him.

Wherefore, Mr. Ubaldo D. Laya is hereby suspended from office for six months without
pay, effective as of the date of his preventive suspension, with a warning that repetition of similar
irregularities will be dealt with more severely.

Done in the City of Manila, this 4th day of November, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-two, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the seventh.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1952). Administrative Order No. 199: Suspending Mr. Ubaldo D. Laya from office
as Provincial Treasurer of Oriental Misamis. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines,
48(11), 4747-4749.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 200

DISMISSING THE CHARGES AGAINST MR. LUIS N. ALANDY, ASSISTANT GENERAL
MANAGER OF THE PHILIPPINE CHARITY SWEEPSTAKES OFFICE.

This is an administrative case against Mr. Luis N. Alandy, assistant general manager of the
Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, brought by Mr. Bernardo P. Garcia, administrative officer of the
same office, charging the former with a number of irregularities involving estafa, graft, inefficiency and
incompetence, and immorality. The charges were investigated by the Integrity Board which found them
not substantiated and accordingly recommended their dismissal.

In view of the findings and recommendation of the Integrity Board, the charges against the
respondent are, therefore, hereby dismissed. In going over the record, however, I find that both
complainant and respondent have not observed proper decorum, mutual respect and cooperation
with each other to the fullest extent. I hereby enjoin them to act accordingly so that harmony may be
immediately restored and the ends for which the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office was established
may be fully served. They are therefore warned that failure to do so on their part will be sufficient
justification for devising drastic methods against them to bring about the desired results.

Done in the City of Manila, this 5th day of November, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-two, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the seventh.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source-. Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1952). Administrative Order No. 200: Dismissing the charges against Mr. Luis N.
Alandy, Assistant General Manager of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. Official Gazette of
the Republic of the Philippines, 48(11), 4749-4750.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 201

EXONERATING COLLECTOR OF INTERNAL REVENUE SATURNINO DAVID.

This is an administrative case against Collector of Internal Revenue Saturnino David who is
charged with (1) tax evasion, (2) borrowing money from a subordinate, (3) questionable tie-up with
businessmen, (4) dereliction of duty, (5) misapplication of proceeds of loan from the Rehabilitation
Finance Corporation, (6) maladministration, (7) immorality, (8) malversation of government property
and (9) unreasonable delay in replying to correspondence, vindictiveness and antedating of documents,
which were supposedly committed by him as Collector of Internal Revenue and while he was provincial
treasurer of Rizal and Batangas.

These charges, which were formulated by the Department of Finance on the basis of official
reports and authentic communications received from various sources, were looked into by the
Secretary of Finance who found respondent’s explanation of each and everyone thereof as satisfactory
and, therefore, recommended his complete exoneration. After carefully going over the papers of the
case, I agree with the Secretary’s findings and recommendation.

In the course of my study I noted that respondent, in his earnest desire to lift the poor reputation
of the Bureau and to improve revenue collections, had to take some drastic measures, like the shifting
of personnel in key positions, and to avail, as he should, of the remedies provided by law for the
effective collection of revenues due the Government, without regard to the parties affected, some of
whom are now evidently bent on discrediting him as shown by the fact that identical charges as these
have even been filed by them with certain committees of the House of Representatives.

I am also convinced that his actuations in the acquisition of supplies and equipment for the
province of Batangas while he was treasurer thereof were above board, untainted by any ulterior
motive to favor certain dealers for pecuniary or other consideration.

Wherefore, the charges against Mr. Saturnino David are hereby dismissed and he is exonerated
therefrom.

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Done in the City of Manila, this 18th day of November, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-two, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the seventh.

(Sgd.) ELPIDIO QUIRINO

By the President:

(Sgd.) MARCIANO ROQUE
Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Malacanang Records Office

Office of the President of the Philippines. (1952). [Administrative Order Nos.: SI - 266]. Manila:
Malacanang Records Office.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 202

COORDINATING THE ACTIVITIES OF THE DIFFERENT RELIEF ORGANIZATIONS OF
THE GOVERNMENT IN CONNECTION WITH THE CAMPAIGN FOR THE COMPLETE
RESTORATION OF PEACE AND ORDER AND WITH DISASTERS CAUSED BY NATURAL

CALAMITIES.

1 . The mobilization, accommodation and care of evacuees and population in troubled areas shall
be under the direction, control and supervision of the Manager of the Philippine National Red Cross.

2. The sanitation and medical services to be rendered to the evacuees and population in the
troubled areas shall be under the direction, control and supervision of the Director of Health.

6. In cases of disasters caused by typhoons, floods, fires, earthquakes and other natural calamities,
the relief work shall be undertaken by the Philippine National Red Cross which may call on the Social
Welfare Administration or the PRISCO whenever assistance is necessary.

This Order supersedes Administrative Order No. 71, dated October 29, 1948.

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Done in the City of Manila, this 18th day of November, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-two, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the seventh.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1952). Administrative Order No. 202: Coordinating the activities of the different
relief organizations of the government in connection with the campaign for the complete restoration of
peace and order and with disasters caused by natural calamities. Official Gazette of the Republic of the
Philippines, 48(11), 4750-4751.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 203
DESIGNATING THE NATIONAL RIZAL DAY COMMITTEE

Whereas, it is necessary to celebrate the 56th anniversary on December 30, 1952, of the
martyrdom of our greatest hero and patriot, Jose Rizal, so that his life, labors and death will continue
to inspire and guide us in our individual and national life;

Now, therefore, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, do hereby call upon all the
people to observe this year’s anniversary of Rizal’s death with appropriate ceremonies and programs
delineating the pattern of service established by the immortal hero.

I hereby designate the National Rizal Day Committee composed of the following:

Hon. Oscar Castelo Chairman

Hon. Jose Figueras Member

Hon. Cecilio Putong "

Hon. Asuncion A. Perez "

Dr. Enrique Virata "

Hon. Bartolome Gatmaitan "

Mr. Juan Nakpil "

Dean Leoncio B. Monzon "

Mr. Ramon del Rosario "

Dr. Concepcion Aguila "

Mr. Gabriel Daza "

Mr. V. Lontok Executive Secretary

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Done in the City of Manila, this 25th day of November, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-two, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the seventh.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1952). Administrative Order No. 203: Designating the National Rizal Day
Committee. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 48(11), 4751-4752.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 204

CREATING THE INFORMATIONAL MEDIA GUARANTY PROGRAM COMMITTEE

Whereas, pursuant to the terms of section 111 (b) (3) of the United States Economic Cooperation
Act of 1948, as amended, and by exchange of notes on February 19, 1952, the Philippine Government
entered into an agreement with the United States Government guaranteeing from expropriation,
confiscation or currency inconvertibility all investments of American nationals in the Philippines,
whether MSA-sponsored or not;

Whereas, under the terms of the aforesaid agreement, this guaranty extends only to such projects
as are expressly approved by the Philippine Government;

Whereas, the United States Government is now proposing for approval by the Philippine
Government as a project under the terms of the aforesaid agreement the Informational Media Guaranty
Program, whereby informational media such as books, periodicals, newspapers, motion pictures
and translation rights which convey scientific, cultural, technical, educational and other information
about the United States are to be made available by American publishers and publishing companies to
Philippine importers;

Whereas, in determining the educational worth and relative essentiality of these media materials
offered by United States publishers, there is need for a specific government agency which should
approve, amend or disapprove all applications for guaranty contracts under the Program which are to
be referred to the Philippine Government from time to time for its approval;

Whereas, there is at present no single government entity that can go over these applications
considering the various aspects of the project as they relate to: (a) the need of the educational program
of the Philippines for the media materials offered, (b) the foreign exchange and import control measures
now in effect and (c) the advisability of allowing the accumulation of peso funds in the Philippines
belonging to the United States Government which the Philippine Government is required to guarantee
against expropriation, confiscation or currency inconvertibility.

Now, therefore, by virtue of the powers vested in me, by law, I, Elpidio Quirino, President
of the Philippines, do hereby create a committee, to be known as the Informational Media Guaranty
Program Committee, composed of the Following:

1. A representative of the Department of Education Chairman

2. A representative of the University of the Philippines Member

3. A representative of the Central Bank Member

4. A representative of the Import Control Commission Member

5. A representative of the Department of Foreign Affairs Member

The respective head of each of the above-named offices or agencies of the Government is hereby
authorized to designate its representative to the Committee.

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The Committee shall screen, approve or disapprove all applications for contracts to supply the
Philippines with media materials under the Informational Media Guaranty Program. This includes the
right to fix the volume and value of media materials that should be included in the program for any
given period, due account being taken of the above-mentioned considerations.

The Committee shall meet as often as there are applications to be considered and it shall as
soon as possible communicate its decisions thereon to the Department of Foreign Affairs for proper
implementation.

The Committee shall prescribe its own rules and standards in approving, limiting or disapproving
any application and it shall submit a report of its work as often as it may be required to do so.

The Committee may seek the advice of other departments, bureaus, offices, agencies or
instrumentalities of the Government, including corporations owned or controlled by it, or of any
private firm or individual engaged in the purchase, local sale and distribution of informational media
whenever it considers it necessary.

Done in the City of Manila, this 25th day of November, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-two, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the seventh.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1952). Administrative Order No. 204: Creating the Informational Media Guaranty
Program Committee. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 48(11), 4752-4754.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 205

CLASSIFYING THE POSITIONS OF CHIEFS OF MISSION IN THE PHILIPPINE FOREIGN
SERVICE AND FIXING THE SALARIES TO BE RECEIVED BY THEM.

Whereas, under section 1, Part C, Title II of Republic Act No. 708, otherwise known as the
Foreign Service Act of the Philippines, the President has been authorized to classify into three classes
the positions which are at present occupied by the Chiefs of Mission in the Philippine Foreign
Service, with basic salaries per annum as follows: Class I — P12,000; Class II — PI 1,000; Class III —
P10,000;

Whereas, pursuant to this provision of law, Reallotment Order No. 1 of the Department of
Foreign Affairs was issued by authority of the President on October 15, 1952, classifying Chiefs of
Mission into three classes with rates of salaries as above indicated, effective as of July 1, 1952; and

Whereas, it is necessary that the present incumbent Chiefs of Mission be distributed to the
various posts in the Foreign Service, in accordance with said Act and Reallotment Order;

Now, therefore, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the authority vested
in me by law, do hereby group existing Chiefs of Mission in the Foreign Service as follows:

The Philippine Ambassador in Washington, D. C Chief of Mission, Class I

The Philippine Ambassador in Madrid, Spain Chief of Mission, Class I

The Philippine Ambassador in Djakarta, Indonesia Chief of Mission, Class I

The Philippine Minister in Tokyo, Japan Chief of Mission, Class II

The Philippine Minister in London, England Chief of Mission, Class II

The Philippine Minister in New Delhi, India Chief of Mission, Class II

The Philippine Minister in Paris, France Chief of Mission, Class II

The Philippine Minister in Bangkok, Thailand Chief of Mission, Class III

The Philippine Minister in Sydney, Australia Chief of Mission, Class III

The Philippine Minister in Buenos Aires, Argentina Chief of Mission, Class III

The Philippine Minister in Mexico City Chief of Mission, Class III

The incumbent Ambassadors and Ministers occupying the posts as above classified shall receive
salaries effective as of July 1, 1952, at the rates provided in Reallotment Order No. 1.

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Done in the City of Manila, this 3rd day of December, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-two, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the seventh.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1952). Administrative Order No. 205: Classifying the positions of Chiefs of Mission
in the Philippine Foreign Service and fixing the salaries to be received by them. Official Gazette of the
Republic of the Philippines, 48(12), 5206-5207.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 206

IMPOSING A FINE ON DIRECTOR OF THE INSTITUTE OF NATIONAL LANGUAGE CIRIO H.

PANGANIBAN.

This is an administrative case against Director of the Institute of National Language Cirio H.
Panganiban who is charged with a number of irregularities, including, drawing salary while confined
in a hospital, teaching during office hours, receiving money from a subordinate, laxity, abuse of power
and inefficiency. The charges were investigated by the Integrity Board, in the course of which all of
them, except one, were dismissed by it upon motions of the complainants and the respondent. The
Board, however, found respondent guilty of teaching during office hours and recommended that he be
fined and warned.

It appears that respondent conducted classes in the National Language from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. in
the Far Eastern University and taught three hours daily in said institution without the necessary permit
from competent authority. Respondent explained that he was of the honest belief that his teaching
was with the consent of the then Secretary of Education, Dr. Manuel V. Gallego, judging from his
conversation with the latter’s secretary; that, at any rate, other high government officials also taught
during office hours without the necessary permit; and that he was not aware of any law or regulation
requiring a bureau director to be at his desk at 8:00 a.m.

Respondent’s explanation is not satisfactory. Neither former Secretary Gallego nor his secretary
was presented to corroborate him. The fact that other high government officials were also teaching
during office hours cannot afford him any relief inasmuch as everyone is answerable for his own acts,
and similar violation of regulation by others constitutes no defense. Office hours in the Government
having been fixed to commence at eight o’clock in the morning, bureau directors, if indeed they are not
supposed to observe the same strictly, are at least supposed not to engage in outside activities during
office hours.

Wherefore, respondent Cirio H. Panganiban is hereby fined in an amount equivalent to his salary
for ten days. He is also warned that repetition of similar irregularities in the future will be dealt with
more severely.

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Done in the City of Manila, this 5th day of December, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-two, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the seventh.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1952). Administrative Order No. 206: Imposing a fine on Director of the Institute
of National Language Cirio H. Panganiban. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines,
48(12), 5208-5209.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 207

REMOVING FROM OFFICE JUSTICE OF THE PEACE DOMINGO GALAGNARA OF
KOLAMBUGAN AND MONAI, LANAO.

This is an administrative case against Mr. Domingo Galagnara, Justice of the Peace of Kolambugan
and Monai, Lanao, who as Justice of the Peace of Tubod, same province, allegedly interfered with the
conduct of elections and carried a firearm inside a polling place. The charges were investigated by the
Department of Justice, and in his report the Secretary of Justice recommends respondent’s removal
from the service.

It has been established in the investigation conducted by the district judge of Lanao that during
the elections held on November 13, 1951, respondent, carrying a pistol, entered the polling place in
election precinct No. 2 of the municipality of Tubod and grabbed the ballot which one Mrs. Anita
Canete was about to drop into the ballot box allegedly because she had already voted in another
precinct, although he permitted her later on to cast her vote.

In his defense respondent claimed that as circuit Justice of the Peace of Tubod one of his duties
was to see to it that there was no violation of the election law and that he was authorized to carry his
gun inside the polling place.

Respondent’s claims are without merit. The powers and duties of a justice of the peace under
the election code are clearly defined. Equally clear are the law and regulations as to the persons who
may carry firearms inside polling places and the circumstances under which they may do so. Even
on the assumption that he was confused between the duties of a justice of the peace and those of
a representative of the Commission on Elections, in the sense that he honestly believed that he had
authority to supervise the elections, nevertheless there was absolutely no justification for his high-
handedness and arrogance in grabbing a ballot from the hands of a voter inside a polling place. As
a result, instead of accomplishing a self-imposed obligation of helping maintain a clean, honest and
orderly election, the respondent created undue disturbance by an unwarranted display of mistaken
authority.

It also appears that in another administrative case the district judge found respondent negligent
in the performance of his duties for failing to enter in his docket a criminal case for forcible abduction
which he himself had accepted. The records of the Department of Justice likewise show that on June 12,
1950, he was reprimanded for his irregular actuations in connection with a civil case brought before
his court.

In view of the foregoing, and to give added impetus to the crusade of the Administration
against undesirable public officials, particularly those with a perverted notion of their authority, I
am constrained to take drastic action against the respondent. Wherefore, Mr. Domingo Galagnara is
hereby removed from office as justice of the peace of Kolambugan and Monai, Lanao, effective upon
receipt of notice hereof.

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Done in the City of Manila, this 5th day of December, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-two and of the Independence of the Philippines, the seventh.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1952). Administrative Order No. 207: Removing from Office Justice of the Peace
Domingo Galagnara of Kolambugan and Monai, Lanao. Official Gazette of the Republic of the
Philippines, 48(12), 5208-5209.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 208
REMOVING SULTAN BATO ALI AS MAYOR OF DANSALAN CITY.

This is an administrative case against Sultan Bato Ali, Mayor of Dansalan City, for abuse of
authority, oppression, illegal exaction, padding of payrolls, etc., filed by Datu Esmayaten Lucman,
Hadji Dolinoguen Ampuan, Sheik Muctar, and Sheik Ysmael Corocoro. The charges were investigated
by the Integrity Board thru a Special Investigator. Early in the course of the investigations, the
complainants withdraw some of the charges and the remaining ones were consolidated by agreement
of the parties, as follows:

1. That the respondent, thru his policemen, exacted registration and berthing fees on motor-boats
berthing at Dansalan City, and market fees on goods and merchandise coming into and going out of
the city, in arbitrary and illegal amounts, using threats and intimidation to enforce collection;

2. That the respondent misappropriated government gravel for his personal use, utilizing the
services of municipal laborers and policemen to haul the stolen gravel to his residence;

3. That the respondent, with grave abuse of power and in violation of law, obtained without
payment for members of his family household necessities from the market vendors, requiring the
market collector to exempt the said vendors from payment of market fees corresponding to the value
of the articles taken from them.

The Integrity Board found the following facts to have been duly established:

That the respondent, through his policemen, by means of threats and intimidation, exacted and
collected (1) registration and berthing fees on launches berthing at Dansalan City, in the sum of
P2.00, for which sometimes PI. 00 receipts were given, and at other times no receipts were given at
all, and (2) market fees in arbitrary amounts on goods and merchandise coming to and going out of
Dansalan City.

That in the months of October and November, 1949, the respondent mayor with abuse of his
official position and authority and in violation of law, misappropriated for the construction of his
house crushed stones belonging to the government and intended for the construction and repairs of
public roads, and utilized the services of government laborers in the construction of said house, at
government expense and on government time.

That the respondent mayor, with grave abuse of his official position, power and authority, and
in violation of law, obtained for members of his family household goods and articles of value from
market vendors, in the City of Dansalan, without paying for them, and, in lieu of payment therefore,
ordered the market collectors to exempt the vendors concerned from the payment of market fees in the
amount corresponding to the value of the goods and articles so taken from them.

In the light of the foregoing, the Integrity Board found the respondent guilty of the aforementioned
charges and recommended his separation from the service. After going over the record, I found the
findings of the Board fully substantiated. By his dishonest actuations as chief executive of Dansalan
City, the respondent has shown unfitness to remain in the service.

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WHEREFORE, and in accordance with the recommendation of the Integrity Board, Sultan Bato
Ali is hereby removed from office as Mayor of Dansalan City, effective upon receipt of copy of this
Order, without prejudice to the taking of such criminal action against him as the facts of the case may
warrant.

Done in the City of Manila, this 9th day of March, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
fifty-three, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the seventh.

(SGD.) ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

(SGD.) MARCIANO ROQUE
Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Supreme Court Library

Office of the President of the Philippines. (1953). [Administrative Order Nos.: 101 -
200]. Manila: Supreme Court of the Philippines.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 209

IMPLEMENTING THE CONSTITUTIONAL AND STATUTORY PROVISIONS ON OPTIONAL
RELIGIOUS INSLRUCLION IN LHE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

In order that optional religious instruction in the public schools provided in section 5, Article XIV
of the Constitution of the Philippines and in accordance with section 928 of the Revised Administrative
Code may be implemented more effectively, it is hereby directed that section 55 of the revised Service
Manual be so modified that, upon written petition of the parents of the students in any public school,
religious instruction be given one-half hour three times a week during, before or after the school session
and at such hours and rooms in the public school building as may be fixed by the Superintendent of
Schools, taking into consideration the peculiar conditions obtaining in the different communities in his
division, and providing the best facilities available for the proper implementation of the constitutional
provision concerning religious instruction in public schools.

Done in the City of Manila, this 17th day of April, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
fifty-three, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the seventh.

ELPIDIO QLJIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1953). Administrative Order No. 209: Implementing the Constitutional and
Statutory Provisions on optional religious instruction in the public schools. Official Gazette of the
Republic of the Philippines, 49(4), 1317-1318.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 210

REMOVING MR. JOVITO P. BARRERAS FROM OFFICE AS JUSTICE OF THE PEACE OF

LAGANGILANG, ABRA.

Mr. Jovito P. Barreras, justice of the peace of Lagangilang, Abra, is charged with ignorance of
the law, grave abuse of discretion and authority and tampering with court records in connection with
Criminal Cases Nos. 70 and 72 filed with his court. The charges were investigated by the Department
of Justice and in his report the Secretary of Justice recommends respondent’s dismissal from the service.

Insofar as Criminal Case No. 72 is concerned, I agree with the Secretary of Justice that the charges
against respondent have not been substantiated.

As regards Criminal Case No. 70, it appears that one Melquiades Bayog and others were accused
of theft of large cattle for which a warrant of arrest was issued by the respondent on February 22,
1950, fixing a bail bond of P 4,000 for the provisional liberty of each accused; that as the record of
that case now stands, the complaint was changed to malicious mischief on February 20, 1950, with the
amount of bail fixed at only PI, 000 for each accused; and that certain pages of said record which was
under his custody are missing as evidenced by the altered paging thereof.

According to the respondent, the missing pages were mere duplicates of certain papers which he
had detached to make the record not so voluminous, some of which he gave to the provincial fiscal
upon request of the latter. The fiscal, however, denied on the witness stand having requested or received
from the respondent any such duplicate copies. Evidently the respondent is wanting in truth and
honesty.

Neither has respondent satisfactorily explained how and why the charge of theft of large cattle
was converted into malicious mischief. His allegation that he just returned the complaint to the chief of
police who supposedly made the change is not supported by the evidence. If that were true, there was
no reason for him to still issue on February 22, 1950, a warrant of arrest for theft of large cattle, as the
complaint for malicious mischief had been filed on February 20, 1950. Another circumstance indicative
of the doubtful veracity of his claim is the disappearance of the original of the warrant of arrest for
theft of large cattle from the record of that case. I am therefore inclined to believe that either the
respondent was motivated by bad faith in issuing such warrant of arrest, when the complaint was only
for malicious mischief, or there was really such complaint for theft of large cattle which was detached
by him for one reason or another. The latter act constitutes a clear case of tampering with court record.
In either case, respondent has violated his oath of office and has shown lack of a sense of responsibility
demanded by the delicate nature of his position.

As regards the charge that respondent gravely abused his discretion in fixing the amount of bail of
the accused in said case, he admits having originally required P4,000 for each accused which he finally
reduced to PI, 000 upon their petition. While he may not have erred in reducing the bail to PI, 000,
nevertheless he showed ignorance of the law relative to the fixing of reasonable bail when he originally
required P4,000 for a crime which he knows to be punishable with only six months’ imprisonment as
the maximum.

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In the light of the foregoing, I find respondent guilty of tampering with court record which also
constitutes grave abuse of authority, of ignorance of the law and improper conduct in the handling of
cases.

In going over the record of this case, I noted that respondent, in a memorandum he submitted to
this Office to impugn the findings of the investigator who was no other than the judge of first instance
of Abra, employed scathing invectives against the judge whom he gratuitously charged with partiality,
high-handedness and servility to a high and influential individual, instead of limiting his discussion to
the merits of the case. Such conduct and the use of abusive and disrespectful language against a high
judicial officer, especially by one who is supposed to lead in showing respect for the dignity of the
court, cannot be tolerated. I also noticed that respondent involved himself in petty quarrels with some
members of the community, a behavior highly unbecoming of a small-town magistrate. My attention
has also been called to the fact that he was previously warned by the Secretary of Justice for irregularly
ordering the arrest and confinement of several persons accused before his court for their failure to
appear on the date of trial without a proper charge having been filed against them and opportunity
given them to be heard in their defense as required by the Rules of Court.

The acts committed by the respondent call for drastic administrative action. A justice of the
peace who, in order to favor or persecute certain parties, or due to sheer ignorance of the law or for
any ignoble motive, goes to the extent of tampering with court record to attain his ulterior purpose,
deserves no place in the judiciary.

WHEREFORE, Mr. Jovito P. Barreras is hereby removed from office as justice of the peace of
Lagangilang, Abra, effective upon receipt of notice hereof.

Done in the City of Manila, this 21st day of April, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
fifty-three, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the seventh.

(Sgd.) ELPIDIO QUIRINO

By the President:

(Sgd.) MARCIANO ROQUE
Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Malacanang Records Office

Office of the President of the Philippines. (1953). [Administrative Order Nos.: SI - 266]. Manila:
Malacanang Records Office.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 211

CREATING A NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO TAKE CHARGE OF THE SEVENTH
ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ON JULY 4, 1953.

Whereas, to perpetuate the significance of the proclamation and inauguration of the Republic
of-the Philippines on the fourth of July, 1946, it is necessary that there be an annual celebration in
commemoration thereof;

Now, therefore, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested
in me by law, do hereby constitute and create a National Committee to formulate plans and devise
ways and means for the appropriate celebration of the Seventh Anniversary of the Republic of the
Philippines. The Committee shall be composed of the following:

Hon. Aurelio Montinola, Secretary of Finance Chairman

Hon. Jose Figueras, Secretary of Labor Vice-Chairman

Hon. Cornelio Balmaceda, Secretary of

Commerce and Industry Member

Hon. Marciano Roque, Acting Executive Secretary Member

Hon. Asuncion A. Perez, Social Welfare Administrator Member

Hon. Sergio Osmena, Jr., Acting Administrator

of Economic Coordination Member

Hon. Jose Camus, Undersecretary of Agriculture

and Natural Resources Member

Hon. Bartolome Gatmaitan, Vice-Mayor of Manila Member

Maj. Gen. Calixto Duque, Chief of Staff,

Armed Forces of the Philippines Member

Brig. Gen. Florencio Selga, Chief of Constabulary Member

Dr. Vidal A. Tan, President of the University of the Philippines Member

Hon. Teodoro Evangelista, President of the Philippine

Association of Private Universities Member

Hon. Antonio de las Alas, President,

Philippine Chamber of Commerce Member

Hon. Jorge B. Vargas, President,

Boy Scouts of the Philippines Member

Hon. Manuel Lim, Grand Knight, Knights of Columbus Member

Col. Amado N. Bautista, President of the CONVETS Member

Col. Teofilo Rivera, President, Philippine Veterans Legion Member

Mr. Modesto Parolan, Editor and Publisher, Philippines Herald Member

Mr. Manuel Villareal, President, Overseas Press Club Member

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Mrs. Concepcion E. Gonzales, President,

Girl Scouts of the Philippines Member

Mr. Eduardo Romualdez, President of the Rotary Club Member

Mrs. Concepcion M. Henares, President,

National Federation of Women’s Club Member

Mr. Mariano V. del Rosario, President of the Lions Club Member

Mr. Oscar J. Arellano, President of the Jaycees Member

Mr. V. Lontok Executive Secretary

The Committee shall meet at the call of the Chairman, and, for the purpose of discharging its
functions, may create such sub-committees as may be necessary.

Done in the City of Manila, this 15th day of May, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
fifty-three and of the Independence of the Philippines, the seventh.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1953). Administrative Order No. 211: Creating a National Committee to take charge
of the Seventh Anniversary Celebration of the Republic of the Philippines on July 4, 1953. Official
Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 49(5), 1753-1754.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 212

CREATING A COMMITTEE TO TAKE CHARGE OF THE CELEBRATION OF NATIONAL
HEROES DAY ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 1953.

Whereas, National Heroes Day falls on the last Sunday of August of every year;

Whereas, it is necessary that the day be observed with appropriate ceremonies designed to
perpetuate the significance of the event;

Now, therefore, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested
in me by law, do hereby create a Committee to take charge of the celebration of National Heroes Day
on Sunday, August 30, 1953. The Committee shall ‘be composed of the following:

Hon. Pablo Lorenzo, Secretary of Public Works & Communications Chairman

Dr. Vidal A. Tan, President, University of the Philippines Vice-Chairman

Hon. Teodoro Evangelista, President, Philippine Association of Private

Universities Member

Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, Asociacion de los Veteranos de la Revolucion

Col. Amado N. Bautista, President, Confederation of Filipino Veterans

Col. Teofilo Rivera, President, Philippine Veterans Legion

Mr. Exequiel Villacorta, Executive Officer, Boy Scouts of the Philippines

Mr. Faustino Aguilar, President, Kapatirang Alagad ni Bonifacio, Inc

Mrs. Concepcion R. Gonzales, President, Girl Scouts of the Philippines

Mrs. Enriqueta R. Benavides, Actg. President, National Federation of

Women’s Clubs

Dr. Herminio Velarde, Supreme Commander, Knights of Rizal

Dr. Patrocinio Valenzuela, Dean of the College of Pharmacy,

University of the Philippines Executive Secretary

The Committee shall meet at the call of the Chairman, and for the purposes of discharging its
functions, may create such sub-committees as may be necessary.

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Done in the City of Baltimore, Maryland, U. S. A. (for Manila, Philippines), this 13th day of
August, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and fifty-three, and of the Independence of the
Philippines, the eighth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1953). Administrative Order No. 212: Creating a Committee to take charge of the
celebration of National Heroes Day on Sunday, August 30, 1953. Official Gazette of the Republic of
the Philippines, 49(8), 3248-3249.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 213

EXONERATING SECRETARY OF EDUCATION CECILIO PUTONG, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC
SCHOOLS BENITO PANGILINAN AND ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS

VENANCIO TRINIDAD.

This is an administrative case against Secretary of Education Cecilio Putong, Director of Public
Schools Benito Pangilinan and Assistant Director of Public Schools Venancio Trinidad who are charged
with obstructing, defeating, sabotaging and undermining the constitutional and statutory provisions on
optional religious instruction in the public schools, under the following counts:

(1) That the respondents were members of a special committee of the Grand Lodge of Free and
Accepted Masons of the Philippine Islands for the elimination of religious instruction in the public
schools;

(2) That their membership in said special committee was in violation of their sacred oath of office
to uphold the Constitution and the laws of the Philippines without mental reservation or purpose of
evasion;

(3) That (a) the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons is opposed to any religious instruction
in the public schools and (b) respondents have neglected and. obstructed the implementation of the
Constitution and the laws regarding optional religious instruction in the public schools; and

(4) That the neglect of, and obstruction to, optional religious instruction in the public schools
have greatly contributed to the moral decadence in our country.

Upon my request, the case was investigated by the Honorable Domingo Imperial, Chairman of
the Commission on Elections, who, after due notice and hearing, found the respondents innocent of
the charge of obstructing, defeating, sabotaging and undermining the constitutional and statutory
provisions on optional religious instruction in the public schools.

COUNT I

It appears that pursuant to the recommendation in the annual report of the outgoing Grand
Master, Emilio P. Virata, to the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the
Philippine Islands in 1948, which contained the following portion:

“Religious Instruction in Public Schools
“At present we have a law permitting religious instruction in the public
schools. There is a strong movement to make this instruction compulsory. This I
take as a violation of our Constitution and I urge everyone of you to use all your
power and influence, not only to frustrate the movement, but also to have the
religious instruction law repealed.”

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the respondents were appointed members of a special committee headed by Dr. Mauro Baradi to
study and deliberate on said portion of Mr. Virata’s report. The committee was referred to as “Special
Committee for the Elimination of Religious Instruction in Public Schools.” Thereafter its chairman,
Doctor Baradi, submitted a report, which was approved by the Grand Lodge, wherein the following
recommendations were made:

“(1) That we adhere to the provisions of the Constitution of the Philippines that, optional religious
instruction in the public schools shall be maintained as now authorized by law’ (Art. XIV, Sec. 5);

“(2) That we be over vigilant and fight any and all schemes to circumvent the Constitution of the
Philippines on the question of religious instruction in the public schools; and

“(3) That on proper occasions and if and when circumstances warrant, we must show the dangers
and adverse effects of religious instruction in the public schools.”

Respondents denied having seen or received their appointments, averring that if at all the
same had been sent they must have gotten lost among their papers. The fact, however, that such
appointments were never returned to the sender and that Doctor Baradi sounded out their views on
the question of religious instruction in the public schools before drafting and submitting the report
and they expressed themselves for strict adherence to the constitutional precept on the matter, or for
optional religious instruction in the public schools, would seem to indicate that they must have known
of their membership in said committee. Respondent Trinidad was out of the country at the time and
Doctor Baradi was not able to get in touch with him.

It has been established, however, that the report of the special committee was drafted and signed
exclusively by Doctor Baradi, its chairman, and the wording and language used therein were entirely
his. From the evidence presented, I am convinced that respondents had not read the contents of said
report before it was submitted by Doctor Baradi.

In connection with this count, two points bear clarification: (a) how the committee was named
“Special Committee for the Elimination of Religious Instruction in Public Schools” and (b) the
intention and scope of the third recommendation of the Baradi report.

When the outgoing Grand Master recommended the appointment of a special committee to work
for the total elimination of religious instruction in the public schools, he said the committee might be
called “what you may.” And when the Committee on Reports of Grand Officers recommended that
the numerous recommendations be assigned to different committees, said committee limited itself by
stating that “That portion headed ‘Religious Instruction in Public Schools’ ” be assigned to a “Special
Committee appointed by the incoming Grand Master.” It did not call said special committee specifically
as “Special Committee for the Elimination of Religious Instruction in Public Schools.” In fact, the
Grand Secretary of the Lodge in the record of the proceedings for the year 1949 (Exhibit A) used
the preposition “on” instead of “for” in the title of the special committee, thus naming it “Committee
on Elimination of Religious Instruction in the Public Schools,” explaining that, in his opinion, the
preposition “on” conveyed better the purpose and aim of said committee, which was not precisely to
eliminate religious instruction in the public schools. Under the circumstances, I am inclined to believe
that the title “Special Committee for the Elimination of Religious Instruction in Public Schools” was
intended merely to assign a name to said committee.

As regards the third recommendation of the committee which reads:

“(3) That on proper occasions and if and when circumstances warrant, we must
show the dangers and adverse effects of religious instruction in the public schools.”

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it is not clear whether it refers to the dangers and adverse effects of religious instruction in the public
schools as an integral part of the latter’s official program of studies, that is, as one of the subjects to be
officially taught. However, it seems unduly stretching the point to interpret the paragraph as conveying
an intention to have religious instruction in the public schools, including optional religious instruction,
completely eliminated, because of the first recommendation in the same report averring adherence
“to the provisions of the Constitution of the Philippines that ‘optional religious instruction in public
schools shall be maintained as now authorized by law’” and the second recommendation exhorting the
member masons to be “ever vigilant and fight any and all schemes to circumvent the Constitution of
the Philippines on the question of religious instruction in the public schools.”

COUNT II

The second count against respondents seems to rest on the claim that they were committed to
the policy of their association to work for the total elimination of religious instruction in the public
schools and to have the present religious instruction law repealed — a policy opposed to the mandate of
the Constitution, guaranteeing the right to optional religious instruction, which they solemnly swore to
support and defend without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion in their oath of office. This
count assumes that the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons was for the elimination of religious
instruction in the public schools, which was not the case. The approval by the Lodge of the special
committee’s report which practically endorsed the prevailing school of thought among the masons
which was for adherence to the constitutional provision on optional religious instruction in the public
schools, and not for the complete elimination of religious instruction in said schools as advocated by
the other school of thought headed by the then outgoing Grand Master, would indicate that the Lodge
was for optional religious instruction in the public schools.

As has been shown elsewhere, the title “Special Committee for the Elimination of Religious
Instruction in Public Schools” was rather a loose name and did not reflect the true aim and purpose of the
committee. Judged by its recommendations, the committee was not really what it was supposed to be. At
any rate, there is no showing that the respondents were committed to work for the ‘total elimination of
religious instruction in the public schools and to have the present religious instruction law repealed.

COUNT m

(a) In the light of the preceding discussion, the claim that the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted
Masons of the Philippine Islands is opposed to any religious instruction in the public schools is without
any basis in fact.

(b) As to the claim that the respondents have neglected and obstructed the implementation of
the Constitution and the laws regarding optional religious instruction in the public schools, the most
that can be said of them is that they were just as conservative as their predecessors whose policy they
merely followed, but assuredly they were not obstructionists. It is noteworthy that when in 1938 the
then Secretary of Public Instruction (Hon. Sergio Osmena, Sr.) refused to promulgate new rules governing
religious instruction in public schools and denied positions to that effect addressed to him by several
assemblymen, not a voice was raised accusing him of obstructing the implementation of the Constitution
and the laws regarding optional religious instruction. On the contrary, his action was impliedly sanctioned
by the late President Quezon when the latter vetoed the religious instruction bill of 1938. It would not
seem fair to treat respondents with severity, especially considering that no formal petitions appear to have
been made to them, unlike in the case of former Secretary of Public Instruction Osmena.

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Neither should the respondents be taken to task for not changing the existing policy, adopted in
consonance with section 928 of the Revised Administrative Code, on religious instruction in the public
schools with the promulgation of the new Civil Code inasmuch as, according to the Secretary of Justice
(Opinion No. 208, s. 1950), Article 359(1) of said Code “must be taken to be merely a reiteration of
sections 927 and 928 of the Administrative Code which still prevail in their totality.”

The fact that enrolment in religious instruction in the public schools shows a consistent upward
trend from 4.798 per cent in 1947 to 12.527 per cent in 1952, during the incumbency of the respondents,
would seem to belie the charge that they were obstructing the teaching of religion in the public schools.

Regarding the specific acts of obstruction supposedly committed by the respondents, I am satisfied
that either they had nothing to do therewith or that, as in the case of the Igbaras Regional High
School, respondent Trinidad was merely adhering to the old regulation followed by his predecessors
and was simply being guided by the opinion of the Secretary of Justice already referred to. It is to
be remembered that under section 928 of the Administrative Code, the division superintendents of
schools possess full discretion in fixing the hours for religious instruction in the exercise of which their
superiors may not interfere unless there is grave abuse.

In this connection, let it be stated that under Administrative Order No. 209 issued by me on
April 17, 1953 (when the investigation of this case was going on), the policy laid down in section 55
of the Bureau of Education Revised Manual followed all along by the respondents has been changed
and liberalized. Further discussion of said section and of the old practice and policy in consonance
therewith, which were vigorously impugned by counsel for the complainants as prescribing an
inconvenient or unholy hour for the teaching of religion in the public schools, is therefore no longer
necessary, the matter having become purely academic.

COUNT IV

This count would impute to the respondents the responsibility to a large extent for the moral
decadence in this country for allegedly neglecting and obstructing optional religious instruction in the
public schools. Considering that this imputation is a mere consequence of the preceding counts already
discussed above, it is unnecessary to take it up any further.

In view of all the foregoing, I agree with the investigator that the respondents are innocent of the
charge, and, accordingly, they are exonerated therefrom.

Done in the City of Manila, this 22nd day of September, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen
hundred and fifty-three, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the eighth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1953). Administrative Order No. 213: Exonerating Secretary of Education Cecilio
Putong, Director of Public Schools Benito Pangilinan and Assistant Director of Public Schools Venancio
Trinidad. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 49(9), 3777-3782.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 214

AUTHORIZING THE GLOBE ASSURANCE CO., INC. TO BECOME A SURETY UPON
OFFICIAL RECOGNIZANCES, STIPULATIONS, BONDS AND UNDERTAKINGS.

Whereas, section 1 of Act No. 536, as amended by Act No. 2206, provides that whenever any
recognizance, stipulation, bond or undertaking conditioned for the faithful performance of any duty
or of any contract made with any public authority, national, provincial, municipal, or otherwise,
or of any undertaking, or for the doing or refraining from doing anything in such recognizance,
stipulation, bond, or undertaking specified, is, by the laws of the Philippines or by the regulations
or resolutions of any public authority therein, required or permitted to be given with one surety
or with two or more sureties, the execution of the same or the guaranteeing of the performance
of the condition thereof shall be sufficient when executed or guaranteed solely by any corporation
organized under the laws of the Philippines, having power to guarantee the fidelity of persons
holding positions of public or private trust and to execute and guarantee bonds or undertakings in
judicial proceedings and to agree to the faithful performance of any contract or undertaking made
with any public authority;

Whereas, said section further provides that no head of department, court, judge, officer,
board, or body executive, legislative or judicial shall approve or accept any corporation as surety
on any recognizance, stipulation, bond contract, or undertaking, unless such corporation has been
authorized to do business in the Philippines in. the manner provided by the provisions of said Act
No. 536, as amended, nor unless such corporation has by contract with the Government of the
Philippines, been authorized to become a surety upon official recognizances, stipulations, bonds, and
undertakings; and

Whereas, the Globe Assurance Co., Inc. is a domestic corporation organized and existing
under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines and fulfills the conditions prescribed by said Act No.
536, as amended.

Now, therefore, I, ELPIDIO QUIRINO, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers
in me vested by law, do hereby authorize the Globe Assurance Co., Inc. to become a surety upon
official recognizances, stipulations, bonds and undertakings in such manner and under such conditions
as are provided by law, except that the total amount of immigration bonds that it may issue shall not,
at any time, exceed its admitted assets.

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Done in the City of Manila, this 22nd day of September, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen
hundred and fifty-three, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the eighth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1953). Administrative Order No. 214: Authorizing the Globe Assurance Co., Inc. to
become a surety upon official recognizances, stipulations, bonds and undertakings. Official Gazette of
the Republic of the Philippines, 49(9), 3783-3784.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 215

REMOVING MR. ANTONIO FUENTECILLA FROM THE OFFICE AS JUSTICE OF THE PEACE
OF SAN FELIPE AND SAN NARCISO, ZAMBALES.

Mr. Antonio Fuentecilla, justice of the peace of San Felipe and San Narciso, Zambales, stands
charged with serious misconduct and inefficiency. It is alleged that he failed, without justifiable cause,
to decide a certain civil case between Francisco Rosete and EusebioFeria et al. despite the lapse of a
long period of time from the submission thereof. The charge was investigated by the Department of
Justice and in his report the Secretary of Justice recommends respondent’s removal from office, with
prejudice to reinstatement in any branch of the government service.

Respondent admits that he really did not decide the case because, according to him, the parties
had arrived at an amicable settlement. This assertion of his was emphatically denied by the plaintiff,
complainant herein. If there was such agreement, there is no reason why the plaintiff should complain
against him for his inaction. Moreover, if the parties had really settled their differences amicably,
respondent should have required them to reduce their agreement in writing and then rendered
judgment in accordance therewith. However, the record shows that the case, which was submitted for
decision on June 8, 1949, was still pending decision on October 20, 1950, when this administrative
complaint was investigated. Respondent’s failure to decide the case for more than a year constitutes
inexcusable negligence, if not gross inefficiency.

This is not the first time respondent is found negligent in the performance of his official duties.
Sometime before the war he was also found negligent and inefficient as justice of the peace of San
Marcelino, Zambales, in view of which he was given a warning. On March 6, 1951, he was again
found negligent in the discharge of his duties as justice of the peace of San Felipe and San Narciso,
same province, for which he was suspended for three months without pay.

In view of the foregoing, I am convinced that respondent has proven himself unfit to remain in
the service and to allow him to continue in office would only be giving him another opportunity or
opportunities to commit further irregularities.

Wherefore, Mr. Antonio Fuentecilla is hereby removed from office as justice of the peace of
San Felipe and San Narciso, Zambales, with prejudice to reinstatement in the government service.

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Done in the City of Manila, this 25th day of September, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-three, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the eighth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1953). Administrative Order No. 215: Removing Mr. Antonio Fuentecilla from the
Office as Justice of the Peace of San Felipe and San Narciso, Zambales. Official Gazette of the Republic
of the Philippines, 49(9), 3784-3785.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 216

CREATING A COMMITTEE TO COORDINATE THE PLANNING OF THE MARIKINA RIVER
MULTIPLE-PURPOSE DEVELOPMENT FOR ELECTRIC-POWER GENERATION, FLOOD
CONTROL, IRRIGATION AND WATER SUPPLY.

By virtue of the powers vested in me by law, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, do
hereby create a Committee composed of the following:

Mr. Filemon C. Rodriguez, Member and Acting Executive Director,

National Economic Council Chairman

Mr. Hilario S. Clemente, Chief Hydraulic Engineer, Bureau of Public Works Member

Mr. Gaudioso Cruel, Chief Engineer, Metropolitan Water District Member

Mr. Filemon M. Zablan, Assistant General Manager and Chief Engineer,

National Power Corporation Member

The Committee shall be under the National Economic Council and shall take charge of
coordinating the various studies and surveys to be undertaken by the National Power Corporation,
the Bureau of Public Works and the Metropolitan Water District in connection with the planning of a
multiple-purpose development project designed to effect the control and utilization of the waters of the
Marikina River in Montalban, Rizal, for electric-power generation, flood control, irrigation and water
supply. The Committee shall submit its report to the Chairman of the National Economic Council.

Done in the City of Manila, this 29th day of September, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-three, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the eighth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1953). Administrative Order No. 216: Creating a Committee to coordinate the
planning of the Marikina River Multiple-Purpose Development for electric power generation, flood
control, irrigation and water supply. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 49(9), 3785-
3786.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 217

AUTHORIZING THE PHILIPPINES INTERNATIONAL SURETY COMPANY, INCORPORATED
TO BECOME A SURETY UPON OFFICIAL RECOGNIZANCES, STIPULATIONS, BONDS AND

UNDERTAKINGS.

Whereas, Section 1 of Act No. 536, as amended by Act No. 2205, provides that whenever any
recognizance, stipulation, bond or undertaking conditioned for the faithful performance of any duty
or of any contract made with any public authority, national, provincial, municipal, or otherwise, or of
any undertaking, or for the doing or refraining from doing anything in such recognizance, stipulation,
bond or undertaking specified, is, by the laws of the Philippines or by the regulations or resolutions of
any public authority therein, required or permitted to be given with one surety or with two or more
sureties, the execution of the same or guaranteeing of the performance of the conditions thereof shall
be sufficient when executed or guaranteed solely by any corporation organized under the laws of the
Philippines, having power to guarantee the fidelity of persons holding positions of public or private
trust and to execute and guarantee bonds or undertakings in judicial proceedings and to agree to the
faithful performance of any contract or undertaking made with any public authority;

Whereas, said section further provides that no head of department, court, judge, officer, board,
or body executive, legislative or judicial shall approve or accept any corporation as surety on any
recognizance, stipulation, bond, contract, or undertaking, unless such corporation has been authorized
to do business in the Philippines in the manner provided by the provisions of said Act No. 536, as
amended, nor unless such corporation has by contract with the Government of the Philippines, been
authorized to become surety upon official recognizances, stipulations, bonds and undertakings; and

Whereas, the Philippines International Surety Company, Incorporated is a domestic corporation
organized and existing under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines and fulfills the condition
prescribed by said Act No. 536, as amended;

Now, therefore, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers in me
vested by law, do hereby authorize the Philippines International Surety Company, Incorporated to
become a surety upon official recognizances, stipulations, bonds and undertaking in such manner and
under such conditions as are provided by law, except that the total amount of immigration bonds that
it may issue shall not, at any time, exceed its admitted assets.

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Done in the City of Manila, on this first day of October, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-three, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the eighth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1953). Administrative Order No. 217: Authorizing the Philippines International
Surety Company, Incorporated to become a surety upon official recognizances, stipulations, bonds and
undertakings. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 49(10), 4254-4255.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 218

EXONERATING MR. LEON SA. AUREUS AS MAYOR OF NAGA CITY

This is an administrative case against Mr. Leon Sa. Aureus, as mayor of Naga City, who has been
charged with a number of irregularities summarized as follows: (1) violation of civil service law and
regulations, (2) maintaining a gambling joint and (3) grave dereliction of official duty. The charges
were investigated by the Integrity Board which found the following:

(a) The claim that respondent arbitrarily dismissed three policemen without proper investigation
is unfounded as it appears that when said policemen learned that an administrative case would be filed
against them for misconduct and that they would soon be investigated, they requested that they be
permitted to resign, evidently to avoid besmirching their personal records and so that they might enjoy
the privileges provided by law upon separation from the service. Their request was granted by the
respondent.

(b) The charge of nepotism for employing close relatives as janitor in his office and as attendant
in the social welfare home is likewise unfounded as the record discloses that their appointments were
immediately brought by him to the attention of the proper authorities in Manila, thereby showing
respondent’s good faith. Upon instruction of said authorities his appointees were separated from the
service.

The evidence adduced in support of the charge that respondent maintained a gambling joint in a
certain street in the city is utterly insufficient and suspicious, coming as it does from polluted sources,
the principal witness for the complainant being the political enemy of the respondent and an aspirant
for the latter’s position;

(a) The charge of non-enforcement of the opium law and violation of the law regarding the
disposition of opium and opium paraphernalia is not sustained by the evidence. It appears that the City
Attorney of Naga was reportedly requested by Police Lieutenants Mamerto Sibulo and Rito Dilanco to
hold in abeyance the filing of a case for illegal possession of opium and opium paraphernalia against
one Chua Tiao who was arrested on May 4, 1951, during a raid led by the respondent, in order to
afford the police an opportunity to apprehend the mastermind of a suspected opium ring believed
operating in the city. The requests of the said police lieutenants were granted by the city attorney and
the opium and opium paraphernalia seized from Chua Tiao were kept in the city police department

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upon instruction of the provincial commander of the Philippine Constabulary stationed at Naga City
who, under the law, is the opium custodian in the province.

(b) The alleged non-enforcement of the laws against hoarders of coins and critical items
and against prostitution has not been established as the evidence presented is insufficient and the
explanation of the respondent is reasonable and satisfactory.

In view of the foregoing, the Integrity Board recommends that the respondent be exonerated of
the charges. After going over the record of the case, I agree in the Board’s findings and recommendation.

Wherefore, Mr. Leon Sa. Aureus is hereby exonerated of the charges filed against him as mayor of
Naga City.

Done in the City of Manila, this 6th day of October, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-three, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the eighth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1953). Administrative Order No. 218: Exonerating Mr. Leon Sa. Aureus as Mayor of
Naga City. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 49(10), 4255-42 56.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 219

DIRECTING THE DIFFERENT EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS, BUREAUS, OFFICES, AGENCIES
AND INSTRUMENTALITIES OF THE GOVERNMENT TO AVOID DIRECT IMPORTS OF NON-
ESSENTIAL GOODS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

Whereas, it is the policy of the Government to promote the country’s economic development,
protect and encourage local industry, and conserve dollar resources in order to facilitate the
importation of capital goods and raw materials;

Whereas, it is necessary in the pursuit of these objectives to restrict the imports of non-essentials
and of goods which can be produced locally in sufficient volume; and

Whereas, the different Executive Departments, bureaus, offices, agencies and instrumentalities of
the Government can aid materially in the attainment of said objectives by avoiding the importation of
non-essential items and of goods which can be produced locally in adequate quantities;

Now, therefore, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested
in me by law, do hereby order and direct all Executive Departments, bureaus, offices, agencies and
instrumentalities of the Government to refrain from the importation of non-essential commodities
and to limit their direct imports to essential and highly essential items which may be needed for their
operations.

For the purposes of this Order, essential and highly essential items are those listed in appendices
A, B, and D to Regulation 1 (as amended) implementing Central Bank Circular No. 44.

In case any Department, bureau, office, agency or instrumentality of the Government requires the
importation of any item not included in appendices A, B and D to Regulation 1 implementing Central
Bank Circular No. 44, it shall submit a petition to that effect to the Cabinet, giving the reasons why an
exception should be made in its particular case.

It is further directed that all Departments, bureaus, offices, agencies and instrumentalities of the
Government reduce the consumption of imported non-essential items even if these are procurable
locally from private importers, and purchase for their needs, as far as practicable, locally-produced
goods.

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Done in the City of Manila, this 27th day of October, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-three, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the eighth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1953). Administrative Order No. 219: Directing the different executive departments,
bureaus, offices, agencies and instrumentalities of the government to avoid direct imports of
non-essential goods, and for other purposes. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines,
49(10), 4257-4258.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 220
CREATING THE PHILIPPINE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC MATTERS

Whereas, the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations of which the Philippines is a
member has signified its desire to maintain close contact with all member governments;

Whereas, the Economic and Social Council is charged with the following functions and
responsibilities, to wit:

1. to make or initiate studies and reports with respect to international economic, social, cultural,
educational, health and related matters and to make recommendations with respect to any such
matters to the General Assembly, to the Members of the United Nations and to the specialized agencies
concerned;

2. to make recommendations for the purpose of promoting respect for, and observance of, human
rights and fundamental freedoms for all;

3. to prepare draft conventions for submission to the General Assembly, with respect to matters
falling within its competence; and

4. to call, in accordance with the rules prescribed by the United Nations, international conferences
on matters falling within its competence.

Whereas, it is deemed necessary that the Philippines be completely and promptly posted
on all economic matters and problems being taken up in the Council, particularly with respect to
recommendations adopted or contemplated to be adopted thereon; and

Whereas, at present there is no specific agency of the Government attending to many important
economic matters being received from the Council, thereby resulting in either the unnecessary delay in
the consideration of such matters because of the time lost in inter-office consultations or the superficial
manner in which they are considered in the absence of discussion and exchange of views.

Now, therefore, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested
in me by law, do hereby create the Philippine Committee on Economic Matters, which shall sponsor
studies and prepare the necessary reports relating to the aforementioned functions and responsibilities
of the Economic and Social Council; and, in consultation with other executive agencies of the Philippine
Government, formulate appropriate recommendations as bases for instructions on economic matters to
the Philippine Mission to the United Nations, including its delegates to the aforesaid Council.

The Committee shall be composed of the following:

1. A representative from the Department of Foreign Affairs, as Chairman;

2. A representative from the Department of Commerce and Industry, as member;

3. A representative from the Department of Finance, as member;

4. A representative from the Office of Economic Coordination, as member;

5. A representative from the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, as member; and

6. A representative from the Central Bank, as member.

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The Counselor on Economic Affairs shall act as Chairman of the Committee. He shall appoint
the Secretary of the Committee. When necessary, particularly in the interest of coordinating the work
on related economic fields, the Chairman may invite a representative from the Committee on ECAFE
Matters and a representative from the Philippine National FAO Committee to attend the meetings of
the Committee.

The Chairman is hereby authorized to call upon any officer or employee of any department,
bureau or office, or any other public agency or instrumentality, including Government-owned
or controlled corporations, for such assistance as may be needed by the Committee for the proper
discharge of its functions and duties.

Done in the City of Manila, this 27th day of October, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-three, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the eighth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source : Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1953). Administrative Order No. 220: Creating the Philippine Committee on
Economic Matters. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 49(10), 4258-4260.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 221
DESIGNATING THE NATIONAL RIZAL DAY COMMITTEE

Whereas, the 57th anniversary of the martyrdom of our greatest hero and patriot, Jose Rizal, falls
on December 30, 1953;

Now, therefore, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, do hereby call upon all the people
to observe this year’s anniversary of Rizal’s death with appropriate ceremonies designed to arouse
greater devotion to his ideals.

I hereby designate the National Rizal Day Committee composed of the following:

1. Hon. Placido L. Mapa Chairman

2. Hon. Asuncion Perez Member

3. Hon. Aurelio Quitoriano Member

4. Hon. Roberto A. Gianzon Member

5. Dr. Vidal A. Tan Member

6. Hon. Teodoro Evangelista Member

7. Dr. Herminio Velarde Member

8. Mr. Prudencio Langcauon Member

9. Mr. Gabriel Daza Member

10. Mr. Lauro G. Marquez Member

11. Mr. Mariano del Rosario Member

12. Mr. V. Lontok Executive Secretary

to make all arrangements necessary for the fitting celebration of the day all over the Philippines and
secure the cooperation of all government and private instrumentalities to insure its success.

Done in the City of Manila, this 14th day of November, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-three, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the eighth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1953). Administrative Order No. 221: Designating the National Rizal Day
Committee. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 49(11), 4745-4746.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 222

ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE AIR DEFENSE IDENTIFICATION ZONE (PADIZ)

Whereas, it is necessary that the movements of non-tactical aircraft (civil and military) be
coordinated and regulated during a military emergency in order to insure complete control of all air
traffic over the Philippines;

Whereas, all agencies operating over our air space should learn to function smoothly under
this control in time of peace so that local air defense forces will be able to operate immediately and
effectively in time of war;

Whereas, immediate identification of hostile aircraft is of paramount importance for an effective
air defense and is made possible through current knowledge of the movements of friendly aircraft; and

Whereas, the initial step in the organization of an effective air defense system for the Philippines
is the designation of an Identification Zone wherein aircraft in flight shall be subject to identification,
location and control;

Now, therefore, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested
in me by law, do hereby direct:

1. The Civil Aeronautics Administrator shall immediately establish the Philippine Air Defense
Identification Zone, hereinafter referred to as PADIZ.

2. The Civil Aeronautics Administrator shall, in coordination with the representatives of the
Philippine Air Force and in consultation with representatives of the Armed Forces of the United States,
fix and publish the metes and bounds of the PADIZ, prescribe rules and regulations governing air
traffic control and aircraft identification procedures within PADIZ, both for normal and military
emergency conditions, which shall become operative upon approval by the Secretary of Commerce and
Industry and the Secretary of National Defense.

Done in the City of Manila, this 21st day of November, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-three, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the eighth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1953). Administrative Order No. 222: Establishing the Philippine Air Defense
Identification Zone (PADIZ). Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 49(11), 4746-4747.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 223

REINSTATING MR. BENJAMIN ZARAGOZA IN OFFICE AS JUSTICE OF THE PEACE OF
SANTA LUCIA AND SANTA CRUZ, ILOCOS SUR, WITH WARNING.

This is an administrative case against Justice of the Peace Benjamin Zaragoza of Santa Lucia and
Santa Cruz, Ilocos Sur, who is charged by the municipal council and a number of residents of the first-
named municipality with irregularities summarized as follows:

(1) That he has demonstrated lack of good moral character by living and associating with lawless
elements who terrorized and robbed the townspeople of Santa Lucia, Ilocos Sur, with his knowledge
and consent;

(2) That he has purposely deferred action in criminal cases wherein the accused were his house
companions, those referred to in the first charge, thereby deliberately obstructing the course of justice; and

(3) That, with abuse of authority, he has acted dishonestly in certain private transactions to the
prejudice of innocent persons.

The charges were investigated by the District Judge and the respondent was given full opportunity
to present his side of the case.

CHARGE I

It appears that some eight townsmen (from Narvacan, Ilocos Sur) of the respondent were staying
in his house in Santa Lucia; that they used to go around the town of Santa Lucia with unlicensed
firearms; that sometime in May 1951 while respondent was playing mahjong in a certain house
several shots were heard which alarmed the people; that presently a policeman arrived to consult
the respondent as to what the police should do to the person or persons responsible therefor; that
respondent directed the policeman to advise the former’s companions in the house to get their arms and
proceed to the place where the shots came from and kill the person responsible therefor, if necessary;
and that, accordingly, three of respondent’s house companions, together with the policeman, went to
the aforesaid place, although nothing happened as the man who had fired the shots had already been
placed under custody when they arrived.

The evidence also shows that during the time that those townsmen of the respondent were
residing with him in Santa Lucia criminality was rampant; that because of the impotence of the local
authorities to apprehend the criminals and check the crime wave, the mayor, several councilors and the
entire police force of Santa Lucia were suspended from office; that not long after the appointment of
an acting mayor and an entirely new set of police force, the constabulary unit assigned to Santa Lucia
succeeded in bringing to justice the perpetrators of many of the unsolved crimes committed therein;
that in at least three cases, two for robbery and one for robbery with frustrated homicide, some of said
townsmen of the respondent were among the accused (criminal cases Nos. 102, 104, and 105, Justice
of the Peace Court of Santa Lucia).

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With particular reference to criminal case No. 104, it appears that in the original complaint only
one of respondent’s companions, named Severo Gines, was included among the accused but during
respondent’s temporary absence from office the acting justice of the peace admitted and gave due
course to an amended complaint filed by a constabulary officer implicating two more of respondent’s
companions (Federico de Guzman and Alberto Clarin). This act of the acting justice of the peace was
resented by the respondent who contended that inasmuch as it was he who had accepted the original
complaint the acting justice of the peace should not have given due course to the amended complaint.

From the above, it is evident that the respondent not only tolerated but to a certain extent encouraged
his townsmen who were staying with him in his house in Santa Lucia to keep unlicensed firearms which
they carried in public places. As a justice of the peace, he should have persuaded them to surrender their
unlicensed firearms or at least dissuaded them from toting them in public places. Not only has he miserably
failed in this respect but, as already shown, in one instance he even directed them to shoot and kill the
person responsible for causing an alarm to the people by firing shots somewhere in the town. His claim
that he never saw them carrying firearms is, under the attendant circumstances, rather flimsy.

The fact that respondent resented the acceptance by the acting justice of the peace of the
amended complaint in criminal case No. 104, implicating two more of his companions in addition
to the one originally charged, would support complainants’ assertion that he tolerated their nefarious
activities. His contention that the amended complaint should have waited for his action finds no legal
justification. It is seriously doubted whether he would have adopted the same attitude had the two
additional accused been other than his friends and companions.

CHARGE II

It likewise appears that although criminal case No. 102 for robbery against five of respondent’s
companions had been docketed by him since August 9, 1951, it had not been set for preliminary
investigation up to February 29, 1952, when the investigation of this administrative case was
concluded; in fact, according to official information, the preliminary investigation thereof was held
only on August 1, 1952, one year after.

The record further shows that one early morning an old man named Anastacio Ablang
accompanied two women fish vendors to respondent’s house to report to him the practice of some of
his (respondent’s) companions of getting fish from them in the market without paying therefor, and
that they were not able to tell him their mission because upon seeing them, respondent angrily told
them to report what they wanted to tell him at the municipal building.

These two instances prove beyond doubt the charge that respondent deliberately failed to take
immediate action in cases involving his friends. His explanation that he deferred action in criminal case
No. 102 because he needed the record thereof as evidence during the investigation of his administrative
case is unworthy of belief, since said record would still be available for his supposed purpose even if it
had already been elevated to the Court of First Instance. In the other case respondent did not only delay
action on the complaint but even refused to hear it, apparently because it again involved his friends.

CHARGE III

It has also been established that the respondent has engaged in business ventures which have
brought upon himself unwholesome consequences and given the public occasion to doubt his honesty
and integrity. To cite an instance, one Catalino Jadornio who was the agent of the respondent and his

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wife in the buying and selling of leaf tobacco in Santa Lucia, in which business the latter are engaged,
claimed that he was made to sign under pressure by the respondent a document to the effect that
he received from respondent’s wife on August 23, 1950, the sum of PI, 400 for the purchase of leaf
tobacco on commission, when he received only P600 and a different date.

In another transaction, wherein the respondent practically assumed the role of agent for both
vendors and vendee, it turned out that the land object of the sale was involved in a pending litigation
between the vendor and the actual possessors thereof, contrary to his assurances to the vendee that
there was no question about its title. Not only that, he even perverted the truth by stating in the deed
of sale prepared by and ratified before him that the consideration of the sale was P2,000 instead of
P2,700 in his desire to hide from the vendors the fact that he was realizing a handsome profit in the
transaction.

The seriousness of the irregularities committed by the respondent warrants the imposition on
him of drastic disciplinary action, even to the extent of removal. Considering, however, that he has
been under suspension without pay since August 1952 and that this is the first case wherein he has
been found guilty of charges, the Secretary of Justice recommends that he be given another chance to
vindicate himself. I concur in the recommendation of the Secretary of Justice.

Wherefore, the suspension undergone by Mr. Benjamin Zaragoza is considered sufficient penalty
for the irregularities committed by him. He is, however, strongly warned that repetition of a similar
irregularity in the future will be sufficient cause for his removal from the service. He is hereby reinstated
in office immediately upon receipt of a copy hereof, without right to receive salary during the period of
his suspension.

Done in the City of Manila, this 24th day of November, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-three, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the eighth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1953). Administrative Order No. 223: Reinstating Mr. Benjamin Zaragoza in office
as Justice of the Peace of Santa Lucia and Santa Cruz, Ilocos Sur, with warning. Official Gazette of the
Republic of the Philippines, 49(11), 4747-4751.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 224

FURTHER AMENDING ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 76 DATED DECEMBER 16,

1948, AS AMENDED BY ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 104 DATED OCTOBER 21,1948,
ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 135 DATED OCTOBER 31, 1950, AND ADMINISTRATIVE
ORDER NO. 183 DATED JULY 7, 1952, CREATING A COMMITTEE TO IMPLEMENT
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 145 DATED JUNE 19, 1948, AS AMENDED BY EXECUTIVE ORDER
NO. 190 DATED DECEMBER 16, 1948, CONCERNING THE COLLECTION OF VOLUNTARY
CONTRIBUTIONS FROM PUPILS AND STUDENTS ENROLLED IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE
ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS, COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES WITH WHICH
TO FINANCE THE RESTORATION OF THE RIZAL HOME IN CALAMBA, LAGUNA, AND
THE DAPITAN PARK IN ZAMBOANGA, THE TEMPORARY MAINTENANCE THEREOF, AS
WELL AS OF THE RESTORED PORTION OF THE BUILDING AT FORT SANTIAGO WHERE
RIZAL SPENT HIS LAST DAY BEFORE HIS EXECUTION.

Administrative Order No. 76 dated December 16, 1948, as amended, concerning the collection
of voluntary contributions from pupils and students enrolled in public and private elementary and
secondary schools, colleges and universities with which to finance the restoration of the Rizal Home
in Calamba and the Dapitan Park in Zamboanga del Norte insofar only as the composition of the
committee is concerned, is hereby further amended as follows:

The Secretary of Education Chairman

The Grand Commander, Order of the Knights of Rizal Vice-Chairman

The Director of Public Schools Member

The Director of Private Schools Member

The Director of Public Libraries Member

The Director of National Museum Member

The Provincial Governor of Laguna Member

The Provincial Governor of Zamboanga del Norte Member

For the maintenance and upkeep of the restored Rizal Home in Laguna and the Dapitan Park in
Zamboanga and the restored portion of the building at Fort Santiago where the Rizal Cell is located,
the necessary appropriation shall be provided in the regular budget of the Department of Education.
However, for the period ending June 30, 1954, such amount as may be needed for this purpose may be
taken from the collections of this Committee.

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Done in the City of Manila, this 24th day of November, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-three, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the eighth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1953). Administrative Order No. 224: Further amending Administrative Order
No. 76 dated December 16, 1948, as amended by Administrative Order No. 104 dated October 21,
1948, Administrative Order No. 135 dated October 31, 1950, and Administrative Order No. 183
dated July 7, 1952, creating a Committee to implement Executive Order No. 145 dated June 19,
1948, as amended by Executive Order No. 190 dated December 16, 1948, concerning the collection
of voluntary contributions from pupils and students enrolled in public and private elementary and
secondary schools, colleges and universities with which to finance the restoration of the Rizal Home in
Calamba, Laguna, and the Dapitan Park in Zamboanga, the temporary maintenance thereof, as well
as of the restored portion of the building at Fort Santiago where Rizal spent his last day before his
execution. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 49(11), 4751-4752.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 225

CREATING A COMMITTEE TO TAKE CHARGE OF THE INAUGURATION OF THE
PRESIDENT AND THE VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES ON DECEMBER 30, 1953.

By virtue of the powers vested in me by law, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, do
hereby create a Committee to take charge of the inauguration of the President and the Vice-President
of the Philippines on December 30, 1953. The Committee shall be composed of the following:

Hon. Aurelio Montinola

Hon. Francisco A. Delgado.

Hon. Enrique Magalona

Hon. Jose C. Locsin

Hon. Macario Peralta, Jr. ...

Hon. Jose B. Laurel

Hon. Diosdado Macapagal

Hon. Jose J. Roy

Hon. Marciano Roque

Hon. Juan de G. Rodriguez
Mr. V. Lontok

Co-Chairman

Member

Executive Secretary

The Committee shall meet at the call of either of the Chairmen and, for the purpose of discharging its
functions, may create such sub-committees as may be necessary.

The Committee is hereby empowered to call upon any department, bureau, office, agency
or instrumentality of the Government for such assistance, data and information as it may need in
discharging its duties.

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Done in the City of Manila, this first day of December, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-three, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the eighth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1953). Administrative Order No. 225: Creating a Committee to take charge of the
inauguration of the President and the Vice-President of the Philippines on December 30, 1953. Official
Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 49(12), 5274.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 226

REPRIMANDING PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR ADELMO Q. CAMACHO OF BATAAN

This is an administrative case against Provincial Governor Adelmo Q. Camacho of Bataan
for (1) nepotism, (2) extravagance in the expenditure of public funds, (3) threats and intimidation,
(4) dishonesty, (5) falsification and attempt to commit fraud through falsification and (6) vindictiveness.
The case was looked into by the Integrity Board and in the course of the investigation all the charges
were either withdrawn or dropped by the Board with the exception of charges (3) and (5). The Integrity
Board found charge (3) duly proven. Charge (5) refers to alleged collection of per diem to which he
was not entitled, and is the subject matter of a pending criminal case against respondent in the Court
of First Instance of Bataan.

It appears that in the morning of October 17, 1952, two vouchers of the respondent — one for
traveling expenses in the sum of P160 (Exhibit A) and the other in the amount of P50 for the purchase
of linoleum — were presented by his messenger to Mr. Alfonso Reyes, bookkeeper in the office of
the Provincial Treasurer of Bataan. The bookkeeper did not approve the traveling expense voucher
Exhibit A for unavailability of funds for the purpose and informed the messenger of this fact and
requested him to secure a supplemental special budget (Exhibit B) to cover the voucher in question, in
accordance with the instructions of the provincial treasurer. About 11:30 in the morning of the same
day respondent pleaded with Mr. Reyes to approve the voucher, but the latter refused to do so for want
of a corresponding supplemental budget to cover the same. Angered by Mr. Reyes’ refusal respondent
tore the voucher to pieces, threw the torn pieces on the floor and, in a loud voice and threatening mood,
told Mr. Reyes that if the latter could not fix the voucher by twelve noon of that day something would
happen. In view of the menacing attitude of the respondent, Mr. Reyes had to pass the voucher in
question and submitted the same to the assistant provincial treasurer who likewise affixed his signature
thereon, thereby enabling the respondent to collect the amount of P160 on October 22, 1952. Several
days after the incident of October 17, 1952, the personnel of the offices of the provincial treasurer
and the provincial auditor gathered together at the request of the respondent and the latter apologized
publicly to them.

The above conduct displayed by the respondent does not only speak very poorly of him but
shows a contemptible official threat and intimidation on his part unbecoming the chief executive of
a province. The fact that he publicly apologized to the employees is an acknowledgement of his fault.

Courtesy and politeness constitute a norm of conduct that should be observed and practised at all
times by those in the public service, however high the positions they occupy may be. A lowly employee
of the Government is as much entitled to considerations of courtesy and respect as any official of high
rank. In this case the bookkeeper was simply performing his duties according to the instructions of his
superior.

In view of the foregoing, and upon the recommendation of the Integrity Board, Governor Adelmo Q.
Camacho is hereby reprimanded with a warning that a repetition of similar act will be dealt with more
severely. His suspension is considered sufficient punishment and he is hereby reinstated in office.

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Done in the City of Manila, this 4th day of December, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-three, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the eighth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1953). Administrative Order No. 226: Reprimanding Provincial Governor Adelmo
Q. Camacho of Bataan. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 49(12), 5275-527 6.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 227
REPRIMANDING MR. GUILLERMO ARCEBAL, PURCHASING AGENT

Purchasing agent Guillermo Arcebal is charged with irregularities in connection with anomalous
purchases of supplies made by local governments, the charges ranging from complicity in the
disappearance of office records, improper release of requisitions to a private party and giving of price
quotations on request of dealers, certification and confirmation of higher prices than those prevailing
in the open market, to non-objection to acquisition of certain printed forms at excessive prices.

After carefully going over the record, I find that the respondent has satisfactorily explained the
various irregularities imputed to him with the exception of those treated hereunder.

It is claimed that contrary to existing regulations and allegedly to favor a private party the
respondent authorized the release of Requisitions Nos. 338371 and 338371-A of the Division
Superintendent of Schools of Zamboanga to an agent of H. E. Heacock & Co. Respondent denies
the charge and alleges that the absence of an authorization under his signature or initial raises the
presumption that he never authorized the release. He also avers that even if he did, he is not aware of
having thereby violated any regulation.

Respondent’s explanation is not satisfactory. His assistant chief buyer stated that said requisitions
were lent by him to the agent involved “with the permission and approval of the Purchasing Agent”
(respondent), which was confirmed by the agent in her sworn statement. Again, he admitted in his
letter of February 9, 1950, the “apparent irregularity” in the handling of his office of Requisition
No. 338371.

The respondent is also being held accountable for interposing no objection to the acquisition of
printed forms by the Province of Antique at prices quoted by the provincial auditor thereof without
first consulting the Bureau of Printing as to the availability of the forms therein and their prices, as a
result of which the province acquired printed forms of excessive prices. Disclaiming any responsibility
therefor, respondent suggests a careful study of the basic letter of inquiry of the provincial auditor
and his reply thereto. He claims that the forms had already been purchased when the request for price
confirmation was made.

A perusal of said letter, as suggested, fails to yield the relief expected by him as it shows that
the provincial auditor requested the “confirmation” of the prices of supplies therein given to justify
certain “ proposed ” or future local purchases. Be that as it may, his confirmation is evidently not an
empty formality but the moving factor in the purchase of said forms.

Neither am I impressed by his reason for not consulting the Bureau of Printing, to wit, that he
is not aware of any regulation or directive requiring him to consult other offices before signing and
releasing his own papers. Respondent knows that it is the Bureau of Printing that handles printed
matters for the Government. If his office did not have any record of transactions regarding the forms
involved, the most prudent thing for him to have done was to consult that bureau on the matter, in the
same manner that when his office has no record of the price of a given article, material or equipment it
canvasses the market or obtains quotations from dealers. He should not have contented himself with

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merely reciting to the provincial auditor his customary ritual that his office had no record of previous
purchase thereof and that if the need for the forms was so urgent as to permit of no delay and the
prices quoted were the lowest secured in the locality, his office would interpose no objection to their
acquisition.

The foregoing shows that respondent has not been very zealous in the discharge of his duties,
and his acts redounded to the prejudice of the Government. Considering, however, his long and
satisfactory service as well as the absence of the slightest indication that he profited personally from the
transactions involved, I am inclined to view his case with some measure of leniency.

Wherefore, Mr. Guillermo Arcebal is hereby reprimanded and warned to be more careful in the
discharge of his duties; otherwise, a more drastic action will be taken against him.

Done in the City of Manila, this 4th day of December, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-three and of the Independence of the Philippines, the eighth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1953). Administrative Order No. 227: Reprimanding Mr. Guillermo Arcebal,
Purchasing Agent. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 49(12), 5276-5278.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 228

REMOVING MR. FERNANDO T. FUENTES FROM OFFICE AS PROVINCIAL TREASURER OF

PALAWAN

This is an administrative case against Provincial Treasurer Fernando T. Fuentes of Palawan
who is charged with serious irregularities which supposedly contributed, directly or indirectly, to the
commission by his cashier, Manuel B. Doce, of a million-peso defalcation in that province.

1. As first charge, it is alleged that the respondent permitted the issuance to Cashier Manuel B.
Doce of excessive quantities of official receipts, thereby enabling him to use more than one book at a
time and to make it difficult for the respondent and the provincial auditor or their representatives to
verify thoroughly his accountable forms.

An examination of the papers shows that Cashier Doce was issued at close intervals of time
official receipt books much in excess of his current needs, having been given from March 13, 1950, to
April 5, 1951, a total of 100 books, when his yearly average need was only 70 books. That only two of
the eight issues were approved by the respondent beforehand does not erase the fact that the six others
were issued by his office and that the total quantity issued was far in excess of Doce’s needs. Prudence
would dictate that only as many receipt books as are immediately needed should be issued at a time —
not necessarily 20 books — to minimize, if not prevent entirely, the withholding of collections by the
issuance of receipts from different sets and not accounting for them, as it actually happened in the case
of Cashier Doce.

The fact that the office of the provincial auditor failed to see that Cashier Doce had overstocked
himself with general receipt forms and to verify properly the receipts issued by him cannot relieve or
even mitigate respondent’s responsibility for his failure to duly and constantly supervise his cashier’s
official actuations. Provincial treasurers are primarily and immediately liable under the law and
regulations for any loss the Government may suffer from laxity or inadequacy of their supervision over
their cashiers.

2. It is also charged that respondent never verified the entries in Doce’s cashbook nor counted and
required the monthly transfer of the cash in his possession as provided in the regulations.

Although it is not wholly obligatory for the provincial treasurer to verify daily and in person the
cash in the possession of his cashier, but may entrust the same to his deputy, and that the verification
of entries in the cashier’s cashbook is one of the normal functions of the provincial auditor, yet it is
incumbent upon the provincial treasurer to see to it occasionally and at irregular intervals that his
deputies do their duties well and not just satisfy himself with directing his assistants to check the
cashier’s account without ascertaining whether his instructions are faithfully and properly complied
with. That respondent’s omission to require the physical transfer to him at the end of every month of
the cash in the cashier’s possession did not contribute to the commission by Doce of malversation does
not relieve him of responsibility for non-compliance with the regulations.

3. It is further alleged that during the period from June 30 to July 31, 1950, Cashier Doce had an
average daily cash balance of more than P600,000, the excess of which over his bond the respondent

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failed to get and keep in his possession; that on February 21, 1951, respondent transferred to Doce
PI 50, 000 respresenting national collections for remittance to the Treasurer of the Philippines which
amount was returned to him by Doce on April 7, 1951, thereby permitting the latter to keep in his
possession said amount of P150,000 over and above his bond; and that respondent failed to take any
administrative action against Doce for his failure to make said remittance as intended.

Respondent’s explanation as to what his cash balances of over P600,000 for the period in
question consisted of may be true, although he should have submitted certified copies of his daily cash
reports for the corresponding period to prove his statement. There is no merit, however, in his claim
that under Memorandum Circular No. 36, dated January 11, 1947, of the General Auditing Office,
Cashier Doce could hold cash without limit as said memorandum circular refers to corporations and
instrumentalities owned or controlled by the Government. That the non-collection of the cash in excess
of Doce’s bond did not contribute to the malversation committed by the latter is clearly beside the
point.

Cashier Doce was in Manila from February 22 to March 1, 1951, to deposit funds and liquidate
his accounts. When he returned to Palawan, evidently he was not required to settle the P150,000
received by him as cash advance. Respondent’s failure to demand of Doce on accounting thereof from
March 1 to April 7, 1951, is inexcusable, regardless of whether the amount was covered by his bond
or not. While the provincial auditor may have a share of the responsibility in this case, the greater
share falls on the respondent who is primarily accountable for the funds. Even if the auditor failed to
discover the irregularity and bring it to his attention, respondent could not have failed to notice the
return of the cash advance when he signed the special journal voucher therefor, considering the big
amount involved. He should then have taken proper administrative action against Doce for his failure
to make the remittance intended.

4. It is finally alleged that through ignorance, toleration and negligence on the part of the
respondent, Cashier Doce was able to delay accounting of amounts received by him, permitting him
to make temporary use thereof for his personal ends; and that through respondent’s negligence Doce
succeeded in embezzling the huge sum of P958,864.25.

Respondent’s explanation hereon is far from satisfactory. A careful provincial treasurer could
not have failed to note the late accounting of any collection by the date of issuance of the receipts
covering the same, which would appear not to be consecutive, with those issued the same day. The
alleged oversight happened so many times that respondent cannot escape the charge of ignorance and
negligence.

Although it has been sufficiently established that he was entirely unaware of the commission by
Doce of the irregularities that constitute the huge malversation of public funds and that he immediately
took steps to relieve the latter and check his accounts when a delayed accounting by Doce of a certain
collection was brought to his attention by the provincial auditor, whose office is rightly to blame for
not detecting the irregularities despite frequent examinations made by it, yet, the respondent cannot
avoid responsibility for the anomalies committed by his cashier because as provincial treasurer he is
primarily and immediately accountable for funds and property belonging to the province. A cashier
issues his official receipts in the name of the provincial treasurer and his collections form part of the
treasurer’s accountability. For his protection, the respondent should therefore, have seen to it that
Cashier Doce accounted properly for all his cash transactions. In this respect the respondent has
miserably failed, although his neglect is mitigated by the fact that the office of the provincial auditor
made daily verification of the cashier’s transactions.

In this connection, it appears that respondent, together with Cashier Doce and others, was
accused in the Court of First Instance of Palawan of malversation of public funds and was found guilty

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thereof through abandonment and negligence, for which he has sentenced to suffer a prison term of
from 10 years and 1 day to 16 years, 5 months and 11 days to pay a fine of P546,054.65, to indemnify
the Province of Palawan in the sum of PI, 092, 109. 30 etc. The case is now on appeal in the Court of
Appeals.

The foregoing shows that the respondent has been sadly remiss in the discharge of his duties,
which fault has contributed in large measure to the commission by his cashier of the huge malversation
of almost one million pesos, to the damage and prejudice of the Province of Palawan. Under the
circumstances of the case, I am convinced that his continuance in the service is against the public
interest.

Wherefore, and upon the recommendation of the Secretary of Finance, Mr. Fernando T. Fuentes is
hereby removed from office as provincial treasurer of Palawan effective as of the date of his suspension,
with prejudice to reinstatement in any position involving the collection, custody and disbursement of
public funds and without right to the payment of any retirement benefit he may have earned.

Done in the City of Manila, this 7th day of December, in the year of Our Ford, nineteen hundred
and fifty-three, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the eighth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1953). Administrative Order No. 228: Removing Mr. Fernando T. Fuentes from
office as Provincial Treasurer of Palawan. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 49(12),
5278-5282.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 229

MODIFYING ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 12, DATED OCTOBER 12, 1946, BY ALSO
DIRECTING THE PAYMENT TO FORMER JUDGE QUIRICO ABETO OF HIS SALARY
CORRESPONDING TO THE PERIOD FROM FEBRUARY 27, 1945, TO OCTOBER 12, 1946.

This is a petition by former Judge Quirico Abeto for payment of salary corresponding to the
period of his suspension from the reestablishment of the Commonwealth Government in February
1945 up to October 12, 1946, when he was exonerated under Administrative Order No. 12 of the
charge which gave rise to his investigation and suspension in 1941. The dispositive portion of said
administrative order reads:

“For the foregoing considerations, I (President Roxas) hereby exonerate
the respondent Judge Quirico Abeto from the charge which gave rise to his
investigation, but because his office has already been filled, his reinstatement or
reappointment is not now possible. I also hereby order payment to him of his
salary from the date of his suspension, August 1, 1941, to December 31, 1941,
including the three months, advance pay authorized in Administrative Order No.

167, dated December 12, 1941, and the gratuity equivalent to two months’ salary
provided in Administrative Order No. 27, dated December 7, 1945.”

Under the law, when a suspended judge is acquitted of the cause or causes that gave rise to his
investigation, “the President of the Philippines shall order the payment to him of the salary, or part
thereof, which he did not receive during his suspension, from any available funds for expenses of the
judiciary” (section 173, Administrative Code, now section 67, Judiciary Act of 1948). The acquittal
therefore of a suspended judge does not entitle him, as a matter of right, to the payment of salary
during the entire period of his suspension, the same resting with the President. While the payment of
the salary of Judge Abeto corresponding only to the first five months of his suspension as authorized
in Administrative Order No. 12 was perfectly within the law, there are certain considerations which
warrant a reexamination of this matter for the sake of justice and equity.

Having been exonerated of the charge filed against him, Judge Abeto could validly claim
reinstatement to his position under the ruling of the Supreme Court upholding the tenure of prewar
judges even after the liberation (Tavora vs. Gavina and Arciaga, 45 Off. Gaz., 1769). In fact he took
steps to claim his office after his exoneration but lost on the technicality that he was late in filing his
case (Abeto vs. Rodas, 46 Off. Gaz., 930).

Payment of Judge Abeto’s salary corresponding to his suspension after the liberation was
withheld apparently because of the prevailing impression then that prewar judges could not claim,
as of right, their positions after the liberation. Had the decision of the Supreme Court in the Tavora
case, supra, been handed down before the exoneration of Judge Abeto, instead of one year after
(October 30, 1947), he would likely have been paid his salary corresponding to the entire period of

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his suspension and, perhaps, even reinstated to his position as judge of first instance. Moreover, his
unqualified and unconditional acquittal would seem to militate against the denial of part of his salary
during suspension.

In view of the foregoing, and upon the recommendation of the Secretary of Justice, Administrative
Order No. 12, dated October 12, 1946, is hereby modified by also directing the payment to former
Judge Quirico Abeto of his salary corresponding to the period from February 27, 1945, to October 12,
1946.

Done in the City of Manila, this 10th day of December, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-three, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the eighth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1953). Administrative Order No. 229: Modifying Administrative Order No. 12,
dated October 12, 1946, by also directing the payment to former Judge Quirico Abeto of his salary
corresponding to the period from February 27, 1945, to October 12, 1946. Official Gazette of the
Republic of the Philippines, 49(12), 5282-5283.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 230

GRANTING FULL AND PLENARY PARDON TO WILLIAM STA. ANA FORMER FIRST
LIEUTENANT, ARMY FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES.

Upon the recommendation of the Secretary of National Defense, William Sta. Ana, who was
dismissed from the service as First Lieutenant, Armed Forces of the Philippines, on November 1, 1950,
for violation of the 62nd and 96th Articles of War, is hereby granted full and plenary pardon.

Done in the City of Manila, this 21st day of December, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-three, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the eighth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1953). Administrative Order No. 230: Granting full and plenary pardon to William
Sta. Ana former First Lieutenant, Army Forces of the Philippines. Official Gazette of the Republic of
the Philippines, 49(12), 5284.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 231

AUTHORIZING THE EQUITABLE INSURANCE AND CASUALTY CO., INC., TO
BECOME A SURETY UPON OFFICIAL RECOGNIZANCES, STIPULATIONS, BONDS AND

UNDERTAKINGS.

Whereas, section 1 of Act No. 536, as amended by Act No. 2206, provides that whenever any
recognizance, stipulation, bond or undertaking conditioned for the faithful performance of any duty
or of any contract made with any public authority, national, provincial, municipal, or otherwise, or of
any undertaking, or for the doing or refraining from doing anything in such recognizance, stipulation,
bond or undertaking specified, is, by the laws of the Philippines or by the regulations or resolutions of
any public authority therein, required or permitted to be given with one surety or with two or more
sureties, the execution of the same or the guaranteeing of the performance of the condition thereof
shall be sufficient when executed or guaranteed solely by any corporation organized under the laws
of the Philippines, having power to guarantee the fidelity of persons holding positions of public or
private trust and to execute and guarantee bonds or undertakings in judicial proceedings and to agree
to faithful performances of any contract or undertaking made with any public authority;

Whereas, said section further provides that no head of department, court, judge, officer, board,
or body executive, legislative or judicial shall approve or accept any corporation as surety on any
recognizance, stipulation, bond, contract, or undertaking, unless such corporation has been authorized
to do business in the Philippines in the manner provided by the provisions of said Act No. 536, as
amended, nor unless such corporation has by contract with the Government of the Philippines been
authorized to become a surety upon official recognizances, stipulations, bonds, and undertakings; and

Whereas, the Equitable Insurance and Casualty Co., Inc., is a domestic corporation organized
and existing under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines and fulfills the conditions prescribed by
said Act No. 536, as amended;

Now, therefore, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers in me
vested by law, do hereby authorize the Equitable Insurance and Casualty Co., Inc., to become a surety
upon official recognizances, stipulations, bonds and undertakings in such manner and under such
conditions as are provided by law, except that the total amount of immigration bonds that it may issue
shall not, at any time, exceed its admitted assets.

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Done in the City of Manila, this 21st day of December, in the year of our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-three, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the eighth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1953). Administrative Order No. 231: Authorizing the Equitable Insurance
and Casualty Co., Inc., to become a surety upon official recognizances, stipulations, bonds and
undertakings. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 49(12), 5284-5285.

332

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 232

ORDERING THE CHIEF OF STAFF, AFP, TO ASSIST, AID AND/OR TAKE OVER THE
OPERATION OF THE METROPOLITAN WATER DISTRICT.

Whereas, a strike was declared today by laborers in the Metropolitan Water District; and
Whereas, on November 25, 1953, the Metropolitan Water District was declared an
instrumentality of the Government, performing governmental functions which affect the public health;

Now, therefore, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested
in me by law, do hereby order the Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines, to assist, aid and /
or take over the operation of the Metropolitan Water District, whenever such assistance, aid and/or
taking over is requested by the General Manager of the Metropolitan Water District as essential to the
continued operation of the water supply system of Manila and vicinity.

Done in the City of Manila, this 23rd day of December, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-three, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the eighth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source : Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1953). Administrative Order No. 232: Ordering the Chief of Staff, AFP, to assist, aid
and/or take over the operation of the Metropolitan Water District. Official Gazette of the Republic of
the Philippines, 49(12), 5285-528 6.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 233

REMOVING THE DISQUALIFICATION OF MR. CRISPIN LABARIA FROM BEING
REAPPOINTED IN THE JUDICIAL BRANCH OF THE GOVERNMENT.

On November 2, 1936, Mr. Crispin Labaria, then justice of the peace of Oroquieta, Occidental
Misamis, was dismissed from the service for cause and disqualified from holding any public office.
Such disqualification was removed on August 20, 1949, subject to the condition that he shall not be
reappointed to any position in the judicial branch of the Government. He now prays that his remaining
disqualification be lifted.

The Secretary of Justice recommends that the petition be granted.

In view thereof, the disqualification of Mr. Labaria from being reappointed to any position in the
judicial branch of the Government is hereby removed.

Done in the City of Manila, this 23rd day of December, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-three, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the eighth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1953). Administrative Order No. 233: Removing the disqualification of Mr. Crispin
Labaria from being reappointed in the judicial branch of the Government. Official Gazette of the
Republic of the Philippines, 49(12), 5286-5287.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 234

IMPOSING A FINE ON CITY TREASURER EULALIO H. DOLOJAN OF SAN PABLO

This is an administrative case against Mr. Eulalio H. Dolojan, City Treasurer of San Pablo,
for alleged irregularities committed by him in the acquisition of supplies and materials during his
incumbency as provincial treasurer of Abra.

An examination of the record discloses that in violation of existing regulations respondent, as
provincial treasurer of Abra, bought supplies and materials without public bidding and much in excess
of the requirements of the service for six months, resulting in losses to the province.

In his explanation respondent states, among other things, that in the public interest there should
always be available necessary supplies and materials for the smooth functioning of the government;
that if his purchases now appear excessive it was due to error of calculation; and that the articles are
nonperishable and may be consumed within a reasonable length of time. He also states that, except in
the case of the bolts for which there was an urgent need, the purchases were made after a canvass of
the local market and that the prices paid were based on quotations of the Procurement Office.

Respondent’s explanation is not entirely satisfactory. The regulations are clear enough as to
the quantity of supplies and materials that may be carried in stock and the manner they should be
acquired, to wit, by public bidding. Greater care in anticipating the probable needs of the province
would have saved it from loss due to these excessive and irregular negotiated purchases. The mere fact
that the goods are nonperishable does not justify their acquisition in excessive quantities in violation of
the regulations.

With respect to the acquisition of these articles, aside from the fact that no evidence has been
submitted to substantiate his claim that canvass of prices had been made before a particular purchase,
such canvassing, granting that it had been made, was idle and ineffectual, as no local dealer in Abra
could have furnished the supplies and materials in question, especially printed forms. At any rate, as
already stated, the regulations require public bidding, and mere canvassing of prices is not, and cannot
be the equivalent of, public bidding.

The foregoing shows respondent to have been remiss in the discharge of his duties to the
prejudice of the Province of Abra. Considering, however, his good record until the commission of these
irregularities, I am inclined to view his case with some measure of leniency.

Wherefore, Mr. Eulalio H. Dolojan is hereby fined in an amount equivalent to his salary for one
month, with a warning that repetition of similar irregularities in the future will be dealt with more
severely.

335

MESSAGES OF THE PRESIDENT

QUIRINO | Volume 5

Done in the City of Manila, this 23rd day of December, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-three, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the eighth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1953). Administrative Order No. 234: Imposing a fine on City Treasurer Eulalio H.
Dolojan of San Pablo. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 49(12), 5287-5288.

336

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 235

IMPOSING A FINE ON, AND WARNING CITY TREASURER MARCIAL LIANKO OF NAGA

This is an administrative case against Mr. Marcial Lianko, City Treasurer of Naga, who stands
charged with having made excessive, unnecessary, and irregular purchases of supplies and materials
worth P236, 830.42 and having paid exorbitant prices therefor while he was acting provincial treasurer
of Camarines Sur.

The respondent admits having acquired supplies and materials in excess of the requirements of
the service for six months but alleges, among other things, that on the basis of issues thereof made
during his incumbency, the stock turned over by him to his successor could have been consumed from
nine to ten months; that the regulations limiting the quantity of supplies and materials to be carried
in stock to the needs of six months’s service were prescribed for normal times; that it took the former
Procurement Office and the Bureau of Printing months to fill requisitions of the province, by reason of
which local purchases had been resorted to; and that after the premises of the Bureau of Printing had
been burned, printed forms had to be acquired from private dealers in the interest of the service.

Respondent’s explanation is not entirely satisfactory. The fact that the instructions governing
the quantity of supplies and materials that may be carried in stock were issued before the war when
conditions were different does not justify utter disregard thereof, the same not having been revoked
by competent authority and hence still in force. At least it should have occurred to him to consult
the Secretary of Finance before deviating therefrom. Moreover, to avert detriment to the service, the
quantity acquired should have been limited to that which was absolutely necessary for six months’ use.
Although the purchase of printed forms from private dealers after the burning of the premises of the
Bureau of Printing may be justified, he should have obtained the required approval of the Department
of Finance before placing his orders with those dealers.

As regards the charge that he paid excessive prices for the articles involved, some of which were
allegedly unnecessary, respondent denies the same and alleges that the need therefor was duly certified
to by the property clerk and, in certain instances, by the chief of the division that would use them; that
the provincial governor had approved the vouchers concerned and even signed certificate No. 2 on the
face thereof; that the vouchers were paid after they had been passed in audit by the provincial auditor;
and that the prices of the Bureau of Printing could not be used as guide in determining the loss suffered
by the province because that office was not then in a position to supply the needed forms.

Except the last allegation which may be accepted as satisfactory, the others only indicate that he
reposed excessive confidence in his subordinates. He was not also sufficiently alert against possible
abuse of that confidence by his men as well as encroachment on his functions and undue influence by
other officials. Had he been otherwise, he could have avoided the purchase of printed matters worth
P126,400 from dealers D. P. Ret, Gregorio Balagtas and Alfredo Balagtas and of such useless article as
saddle soap costing over P15,000. Respondent cannot find relief in the fact that the purchases had been
passed in audit by the provincial auditor, as the latter assumes a separate responsibility under the law.

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Relative to the alleged irregular procurement of the articles in question, respondent states that
although no competitive bidding was held, canvassing of prices was had, quotations were secured
and the goods are acquired from the dealer charging the lowest cost. This explanation is not wholly
satisfactory. The methods followed by him were not, and could not be the equivalent of, public bidding
required by the regulations.

In going over the record of this case I came across certain admissions and statements of respondent
which only betray laxity and an unwholesome complaisant disposition on his part which worked to the
prejudice of the public interest. Considering, however, his long service in the Government, the absence
of any blot on his previous record, the non-use of trust funds and the absolute want of indication that
he profited pecuniarily from these transactions, I am inclined to view his case with some measure of
leniency.

Wherefore, and as recommended by the Secretary of Finance, Mr. Marcial Lianko is hereby
fined in an amount equivalent to his salary for one month, with a warning that commission of similar
irregularities in the future will be dealt with more severely.

Done in the City of Manila, this 23rd day of December, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-three, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the eighth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1953). Administrative Order No. 235: Imposing a fine on, and warning City
Treasurer Marcial Lianko of Naga. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 50(1), 16-17.

338

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QUIRINO| Volume 5

MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 236

REMOVING MR. GREGORIO BENEDICTO FROM OFFICE AS JUSTICE OF THE PEACE OF

MOLAVE, ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR.

This is an administrative case against Mr. Gregorio Benedicto, Justice of the Peace of Molave,
Zamboanga del Sur, who is charged, among other things, with abuse of authority and falsification.

It appears duly established in the investigation conducted by the District Judge that on July 11,
1950, respondent subpoenaed Roberta Macareal and four others to appear and testify before him
on July 20, 1950, at 9 a.m., in civil case No. 33 allegedly filed against them by Praxedes Villanueva,
respondent’s wife. Similar subpoenas were addressed by respondent to thirteen other persons in
three other civil cases (Nos. 34, 35 and 36) supposedly instituted against them by respondent’s wife,
commanding the various defendants to appear and testify before him on July 21, 22 and 24, 1950,
respectively. The truth of the matter, however, is that no civil action was ever filed by respondent’s wife
against the supposed defendants.

From the evidence of record it can be gleaned that the respondent issued those subpoenas,
obviously at the instance of his wife, in order to bring to court the defendants for the sole purpose
of warning them that they were courting trouble should they persist in occupying portions of the
public land leased by his wife as pasture land. He has therefore allowed himself and his office to be
the instrument of his wife in the settlement of her personal problems; and the irregularity committed
is aggravated by the fact that he made it appear in the subpoenas issued by him that there were civil
actions filed by his wife against those to whom they were directed when he knew there were no such
cases.

In a vain attempt to exculpate himself, the respondent declared that the subpoenas in question
were prepared by his clerk who, having misunderstood his instructions, indicated therein that the
persons to whom they were directed were defendants in the civil suits filed by his wife. Respondent’s
explanation cannot be accepted. He cannot feign ignorance of the contents of the subpoenas because
even if it were true that they were prepared by his clerk, the fact remains that he signed the same.
Moreover, he could not have failed to notice the titles of the civil cases which appear clearly on the face
of the subpoenas.

From the foregoing, it is clear that the respondent is guilty of the charge specified above. For the
irregularity committed, the District Judge recommends that he be transferred to another municipality.
In making this recommendation the Judge must have taken into consideration the fact that this is the
first irregularity committed by the respondent and that the defendants were not actually prejudiced by
his action, his purpose in calling them to his court being merely to advise them to leave the properties
they were occupying as they were within the area leased by his wife. The Secretary of Justice believes,
however, that the irregularity committed is serious enough to warrant respondent’s removal from the
service. I agree with the Secretary of Justice.

Wherefore, Mr. Gregorio Benedicto is hereby removed from office as justice of the peace of
Molave, Zamboanga del Sur, effective upon receipt of notice hereof.

339

MESSAGES OF THE PRESIDENT

QUIRINO | Volume 5

Done in the City of Manila, this 23rd day of December, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-three, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the eighth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1953). Administrative Order No. 236: Removing Mr. Gregorio Benedicto from
office as Justice of the Peace of Molave, Zamboanga del Sur. Official Gazette of the Republic of the
Philippines, 49(12), 5288-5290.

340

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 237

IMPOSING A FINE ON PROVINCIAL TREASURER F. D. PACANA OF ZAMBOANGA

This is an administrative case against Mr. F. D. Pacana, Provincial Treasurer of Zamboanga, for
alleged irregularities committed by him in the acquisition of supplies and materials.

The record discloses that in violation of existing regulations respondent acquired supplies and
materials in excess of the requirements of the service for six months and made purchases thereof from
private dealers without benefit of public bidding, resulting in losses to the province.

By way of explanation, respondent states that he had to acquire a little larger stock than
that allowed by the regulations in view of the distance between Manila and Zamboanga and the
considerable delay, not to say uncertainty, in the filling of their orders by the Procurement Office and
the Bureau of Printing. He also explains that purchases from private dealers were prompted by the
exigencies of the service and were made after a canvass of prices of the local market.

Respondent’s explanation is not wholly satisfactory. The regulations as to the quantity of supplies
and materials that may be carried in stock and the manner they should be acquired, to wit, by public
bidding, are sufficiently clear, and it should at least have occurred to respondent to consult the Secretary
of Finance before departing therefrom. Foresight and greater care in anticipating the probable needs
of the province and its municipalities could have saved the province from loss of over P8,000 due to
irregular negotiated purchases. Respondent knew or should have known also that printed forms for
use of government offices were very seldom, if ever, carried by local dealers and printers. Canvassing
of the local market was, therefore, idle and ineffectual and was evidently resorted to as a means of
circumventing the regulations. At any rate, canvassing of prices is not, and cannot be the equivalent
of, public bidding. The loss, representing the difference in prices between those paid to traveling
merchants and those of the Bureau of Printing, could have been minimized, if not altogether avoided,
had respondent consulted, even by wire, the Bureau of Printing.

The foregoing shows respondent to have been remiss in the performance of his duties. Considering,
however, his long and satisfactory service before the commission of the instant irregularities, I believe
that respondent deserves some leniency.

Wherefore, Mr. F. D. Pacana is hereby fined in an amount equivalent to his salary for one
month, with a warning that commission of similar irregularities in the future will be dealt with more
severely.

341

MESSAGES OF THE PRESIDENT

QUIRINO | Volume 5

Done in the City of Manila, this 23rd day of December, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-three, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the eighth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1953). Administrative Order No. 237: Imposing a fine on Provincial Treasurer F. D.
Pacana of Zamboanga. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 49(12), 5290-5291.

342

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 238

SUSPENDING MR. VICENTE CUSTODIO FROM OFFICE AS JUSTICE OF THE PEACE OF

SANTA, ILOCOS SUR

Justice of the Peace Vicente Custodio of Santa, Ilocos Sur, is charged with falsifying his daily time
record for the month of February 1950 by making it appear therein that he was present in his office
from eight to twelve o’clock in the morning of the 6th, 7th and 8th of said month, when in truth and in
fact he was then in Vigan, Ilocos Sur, on purely personal matters.

In his defense the respondent denied having been absent from his office on the days in question.
He admitted, however, that while he went to his office at eight o’clock in the morning of February
6, 1950, he left for Vigan at nine o’clock to confer with the provincial governor, staying there for
about thirty minutes, after which he returned to his office in Santa, arriving there at ten o’clock that
same morning; and that to make up for his undertime he held office in the afternoon from two to
four o’clock. He likewise declared that on February 7, 1950, he went to his office at 8 a.m. and left
thirty minutes later for Vigan, returning to his office between 10:30 and 11 a.m. and staying there up
to twelve o’clock noon; and that he held office in the afternoon to make up for his undertime in the
morning.

The district judge who investigated this case gave full credit to respondent’s testimony. In view,
however, of his admission that he left his office on February 6 and 7, 1950, without justification, the
judge recommends his suspension from office for one month without pay.

In compliance with a long-standing regulation of the Department of Justice, respondent fixed
his office hours from eight to twelve o’clock in the morning every working day, from which he may
not deviate at will. The Department found it necessary that justices of the peace should have a fixed
schedule of office hours so that the public who may have official matters to transact with them may
know when to go to their office.

What is reprehensible in this particular case is not so much respondent’s leaving his office during
office hours without justification as his making false entries in his daily time record. He was fully
aware that if his undertimes were indicated in his time record his salary would suffer corresponding
deduction. Evidently, he made those untruthful entries to avoid any deduction in his salary. This act of
his certainly deserves disciplinary action. Having been previously reprimanded by the district judge in
connection with another administrative case against him, respondent deserves a stiffer penalty.

Wherefore, and upon the recommendation of the Secretary of Justice and the investigating judge,
Mr. Vicente Custodio is hereby suspended from office for a period of one month without pay, effective
upon receipt of notice hereof, with a warning that commission of further irregularities in the future will
be a sufficient cause for his removal from the service.

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MESSAGES OF THE PRESIDENT

QUIRINO | Volume 5

Done in the City of Manila, this 23rd day of December, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-three, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the eighth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1953). Administrative Order No. 238: Suspending Mr. Vicente Custodio from office
as Justice of the Peace of Santa, Ilocos Sur. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 49(12),
5291-5292.

344

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 239

REPRIMANDING REGISTER OF DEEDS FERNANDO PACANA OF ORIENTAL MISAMIS

This is an administrative case against Mr. Fernando Pacana, Register of Deeds of Oriental
Misamis, for alleged extortion.

Hermogenes Jabiniao, the complainant, alleged that sometimes in June 1950 he went to the office
of respondent to inquire whether there was already a title to the land of his father situated in the City
of Cagayan de Oro, and was informed in the negative by respondent who offered to help him on the
matter; that respondent asked him P22.80 to be paid to the Bureau of Lands, which he gave although
no receipt was issued therefor; that a month later respondent told him that the Bureau of Lands was
asking for P22.80 for the preparation of the plan, and when he reminded respondent that he had
already given him the amount, respondent replied that he had sent it but that there was much red tape
involved, in view of which he again gave respondent P22.80, this time asking him for a receipt; that
subsequently he was informed by respondent of the arrival of the plan and to bring enough money
for court and attorney’s fees and publication expenses; that his father gave respondent PI 10 which,
according to the respondent, was to be applied as follows: P50 for his attorney’s fees and P60 for the
title and motion in court; and that up to the time of the filing of his complaint the title to the land of
his father had not come down, and every time he went to the office of respondent he was just scolded
by the latter.

Respondent denied having received a total of P155.60 from complainant and the latter’s father,
claiming that he received P85 only, P35 of which was paid by him for the preparation of the plan of
the land and P50 for the professional fees of Atty. Juanito de la Riarte, whose services had been secured
by him on behalf of complainant’s father. He also stated that the petition for registration of the land
involved had already been filed in the Court of First Instance where it was pending hearing and that
the complaint had political color, having been inspired by certain officials working for the reelection of
the governor who was the opponent of respondent’s brother-in-law during the last election.

After considering the evidence of record and the attendant circumstances of the case, I find
that the charge has not been satisfactorily established. Be that as it may, I cannot help condemning
respondent’s officious intervention in the matter. The preparation of the application for registration,
as well as the procurement of the plan and technical description of the land for presentation with the
proper court, was obviously beyond the scope of his official duties and should have been endorsed to,
and left in the hands of, a practising attorney. Thus, he could have avoided all this embarrassment.
What is more, it was improper for him to receive personally from complainant’s father the specific
amount of P50 for attorney’s fees even if he really turned it over later to Attorney De la Riarte.

In view of the foregoing, and upon the recommendation of the Secretary of Justice, Mr. Fernando
Pacana is hereby reprimanded and warned that a repetition of similar acts in the future will be severely
dealt with.

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MESSAGES OF THE PRESIDENT

QUIRINO | Volume 5

Done in the City of Manila, this 23rd day of December, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-three, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the eighth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1953). Administrative Order No. 239: Reprimanding Register of Deeds Fernando
Pacana of Oriental Misamis. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 50(1), 18-19.

346

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 240

DISMISSING THE CHARGES AGAINST ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY CECILIA MUNOZ-
PALMA OF QUEZON CITY, WITH ADMONITION.

This is an administrative case against Mrs. Cecilia Munoz-Palma, Assistant City Attorney of
Quezon City, who stands charged with dereliction of duty, partiality and abuse of discretion.

The dereliction of duty imputed to the respondent arose out of her failure to file with the proper
court a complaint for light threats within the statutory period, the complaint having been filed four
days after said offense had prescribed.

The charge of partiality arose of the dropping by the respondent of two cases for slander mutually
filed by the complainant and the accused against each other after finding that both were equally guilty
and that the alleged defamatory words were uttered by them during a wordy street brawl. It also
appears that the respondent filed the slander cases in court by means of an information instead of a
complaint signed by the offended party, thus resulting in the dismissal of said cases.

The charge of abuse of discretion is based on the respondent’s act of dropping a case for grave
slander on the ground that the identity of the offended party was not established. Upon reinvestigation
by the City Attorney, the case was returned to the respondent with instructions to file it in court. The
respondent, however, refused to do so and the case was assigned to another prosecutor.

The Integrity Board with which the charges were filed required the respondent to submit a written
answer thereto and the respondent submitted her explanations in due time. Finding her explanations
satisfactory, said body recommends dismissal of the charges for lack of merit.

After carefully going over the record, one undeniable facts stands out — that the information for
threats filed by the respondent was dismissed by the court on the ground of prescription and those for
slander were likewise dismissed on the ground that the complaints were not signed by the offended
party but by the respondent in her capacity as Assistant City Attorney of Quezon City.

Although the respondent’s opinion as to the laws applicable to the said cases was not correct, as
shown by the adverse action of the court, I am convinced that she acted in good faith. However, the
dismissal of said cases, as well as any suspicion of misfeasance on her part, could have been altogether
avoided had the respondent used her better judgment and discretion in the premises.

Wherefore, the charges against respondent Cecilia Munoz-Palma, Assistant City Attorney
of Quezon City, are hereby dismissed with a stern admonition that she should be more careful and
conscientious in the discharge of her duties.

347

MESSAGES OF THE PRESIDENT

QUIRINO | Volume 5

Done in the City of Manila, this 23rd day of December, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-three, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the eighth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1953). Administrative Order No. 240: Dismissing the charges against Assistant City
Attorney Cecilia Munoz-Palma of Quezon City, with admonition. Official Gazette of the Republic of
the Philippines, 49(12), 5293-5294.

348

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 241

REMOVING MR. MARIANO VILLALVA FROM OFFICE AS ACTING JUSTICE OF THE PEACE

OF ITBAYAT, BATANES.

Mr. Mariano Villalva, Acting Justice of the Peace of Itbayat, Batanes, is charged with certain
regularities involving, among others, partiality, abuse of authority and discretion, and dishonesty. The
charges were investigated by the district judge and respondent was given full opportunity to defend
himself.

After going over the record of investigation, it appears duly established that in criminal case
No. 424 of this court respondent ordered the arrest of the accused who were charged with alarm and
scandal; when a mere summons would have sufficed as provided in the Rules of Court; that he did not
allow the accused Joaquin Labrador and three other defense witnesses to testify; that the accused were
not given, despite their petition, ample time to prepare for their defense, the trial having been held the
day following their arrest; and that during the trial he required one of the accused to sing one of the
hymns sung by them in connection with their religious services held in a public place which supposedly
disturbed the public peace, to the great embarrassment of the latter before the amused spectators inside
and outside the courtroom.

From the way respondent railroaded the case, considered in the light of surrounding
circumstances, there seems to be basis for the charge that he has allowed himself and his office to be
a tool of certain religions fanatics in the persecution of the accused who belonged to a different sect
or religion. At least he has shown partiality and has grossly abused his authority and discretion in the
premises.

In another criminal case No. 429 of respondent’s court, for the same offense of alarm and scandal,
it has also been satisfactorily established that the accused were arrested and put in jail for one day and
one night without being told that they could file bail bonds for their provisional liberty; that they were
not given enough time to prepare for trial; and that they were not allowed to testify in their defense.
Although respondent claimed that the accused had pleaded guilty, the fact that, as admitted by him, he
asked them whether they had anything more to say or any more witnesses to present would indicate
that the accused had not pleaded guilty. The proceedings from beginning to end were very irregular
and smack of a travesty on justice.

The record further shows that respondent declared in his name some parcels of land belonging
to, and possessed by, other persons, took possession thereof and had them cultivated. He explained,
however, that the lands were public lands, having been declared so by the mayor for not having been
claimed by the supposed owners during the measurement thereof for purposes of tax revision. Before
declaring them in his name he had gone with the mayor to said parcels of land and measured them.
When the mayor testified and was asked under what authority he declared these lands as public lands,
he said there was none. Instead of advising the mayor that the procedure was illegal, the respondent
was the first one to take advantage of the illegality in acquiring lands.

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In another administrative case it appears that sometime in 1948 respondent submitted a
reimbursement voucher, supported by a receipt, for supposed expenses in the sum of P366 for staying
in Basco for 53 days on his way from Manila to assume his present position. The receipt purports
to show that he paid one Pedro Mernelo that amount for subsistence and lodging corresponding to
his stay in Basco. Upon verification, however, it was found that the amount in question was never
received by the supposed payee. On another occasion respondent also tried to collect reimbursement
of the sum of P332 for alleged expenses for subsistence and lodging while appearing as a witness in a
certain criminal case. Again, investigation disclosed that he had never paid the amount involved to the
supposed creditor.

From the foregoing it is clear that respondent is totally unfit to remain in the judiciary. He has
made a mockery of the administration of justice by exhibiting gross partiality in disposing of cases
brought before him. What is worse, he has deprived the accused concerned of their constitutional right
to due process. Finally, in declaring in his name other people’s lands and in attempting to defraud the
Government on two occasions he has shown want to honesty and strength of character required of all
public servants, particularly those occupying positions in the judiciary who should always enjoy the
faith and confidence of the people for whom they are sworn to minister justice.

Wherefore, Mr. Mariano Villalva is hereby removed from office as Acting Justice of the Peace of
Itbayat, Batanes, effective upon receipt of notice hereof.

Done in the City of Manila, this 23rd day of December, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-three, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the eighth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1953). Administrative Order No. 241: Removing Mr. Mariano Villalva from office
as Acting Justice of the Peace of Itbayat, Batanes. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines,
49(12), 5294-52 96.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 242

REPRIMANDING CAPTAIN EULOGIO SAMIO, DEPUTY CHIEF OF THE MANILA FIRE

DEPARTMENT

This is an administrative case against Captain Eulogio Samio, Deputy Chief of the Manila
Fire Department, filed by Captains Jesus Cruz and Braulio Alona, of the same department, charging
the former with (1) collaboration with the Japanese, (2) irregularities in the quartermaster stores,
(3) falsification of public documents and perjury, and (4) inefficiency.

The charges were investigated by the Integrity Board, in the course of which the first one
was dropped. After investigation the Board found the second and third charges not satisfactorily
established. However, it found him, under the last charge, remiss in the performance of his duties in
connection with the fires which broke out at Juan Luna and Tecson Streets and Orozco and Chica
Streets on December 31, 1951, and January 26, 1952, respectively, for not responding promptly to the
first fire alarm calls so as to assume command of operations as required by the regulations.

In its report the Board noted the complainants’ attitude, which they openly admitted by reason
of their seniority, that either one of them and not the respondent should have been appointed to the
position of deputy chief of the fire department. It also noted the existence of jeolousies among these
three officials in their desire for promotion, instead of mutual cooperation and harmony in the best
interest of the service.

After going over the papers of the case, I concur in the findings and observations of the Board.

Wherefore, and upon the recommendation of the Integrity Board, respondent Eulogio Samio is
hereby reprimanded and warned that repetition of similar negligence or irregularity in the future will
be dealt with more severely. The complainants and respondent are hereby enjoined to observe mutual
respect and cooperation, so vital and necessary to the efficiency of the service, otherwise drastic action
will be taken against them.

Done in the City of Manila, this 23rd day of December, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-three, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the eighth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1953). Administrative Order No. 242: Reprimanding Captain Eulogio Samio, Deputy
Chief of the Manila Fire Department. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 50(1), 19-20.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 243

EXONERATING PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR JUAN F. TRIVINO OF CAMARINES SUR

This is an administrative case against Provincial Governor Juan F. Trivino of Camarines Sur for
alleged insubordination, dereliction of duty and grave abuse of authority. The charges were looked
into by the Integrity Board which found the same without merit and accordingly recommended
respondent’s exoneration.

After going over the papers of the case, I am satisfied that respondent’s failure to act on the
complaint filed by the complainants herein against the municipal mayor of Bato, Camarines Sur, for
supposed abuse of authority in removing them from the police force was due to a justifiable cause,
to wit, the pendency in the Bureau of Civil Service of the appeal of the complainants herein from the
decision of the Municipal Council of Bato, Camarines Sur, finding them guilty in the administrative
case preferred by the mayor against them, which case and that against the mayor are interrelated; and
that his failure to comply with the directives of my office on the matter was attributable to reasonable
causes, including postponements requested by the complainants themselves and the fact that the
provincial board had already made use of the allowable number of special sessions in a month.

In view of the foregoing, the charges against Provincial Governor Juan F. Trivino are hereby
dismissed and he is exonerated therefrom.

Done in the City of Manila, this 23rd day of December, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-three, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the eighth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1953). Administrative Order No. 243: Exonerating Provincial Governor Juan F.
Trivino of Camarines Sur. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 50(1), 20-21.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 244

GRANTING FULL AND PLENARY PARDON TO MAKAARAW K. SANTOS, FORMER FIRST
LIEUTENANT IN THE RESERVE FORCE, ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES.

Makaaraw K. Santos, who was dismissed from the service as First Lieutenant, Armed Forces of
the Philippines, on January 21, 1947, for having engaged in buying and selling war materials during
the enemy occupation of the Philippines, is hereby granted full and plenary pardon, it appearing from
a reinvestigation conducted subsequent to his dismissal that he engaged in said business to camouflage
his guerrilla activities and that he extended financial aid to the guerrillas.

Done in the City of Manila, this 28th day of December, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-three, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the eighth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source-. Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1953). Administrative Order No. 244: Granting full and plenary pardon
to Makaaraw K. Santos, former First Lieutenant in the Reserve Force, Armed Forces of the
Philippines. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 49(12), 5296-5297.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 245

REMOVING MR. NEMESIO GANAN FROM OFFICE AS JUSTICE OF THE PEACE OF
BADAJOZ, DESPUJOLS, AND ODIONGAN, ROMBLON

This is an administrative case against Mr. Nemesio Ganan, Justice of the Peace of Badajoz,
Despujols, and Odiongan, Romblon, for alleged abuse of authority, partiality, and falsification. The
charges were investigated by the district judge and respondent was given full opportunity to be heard
in his defense.

As regards the charge of abuse of authority, it appears that in the afternoon of September 11,
1947, respondent summoned one Angela Estores to appear in his court at Badajoz and when she
refused to heed his suggestion that she respect an agreement previously entered into between her
and a certain Emilia Orencio, upon which the dismissal by his predecessor of the civil case between
them was based, respondent ordered Angela to be confined in jail where she stayed for twenty-five
minutes. It turned out that respondent had been the attorney of Emilia Orencio in that case prior to his
appointment as justice of the peace.

In his defense respondent denied having ordered the incarceration of Angela Estores, claiming
that he must have been misunderstood by the policeman when he ordered the latter to take her out
of his room for raising her voice and creating a scandal when he tried to remind her of her obligation
under the agreement referred to.

I am not impressed by respondent’s explanation. If the policeman was not ordered by the
respondent to confine Angela in jail, certainly she would have vigorously remonstrated against being
deprived of her liberty by the policeman. That she acquiesced therein only goes to prove that she was
ordered jailed by one who, by the nature of his official position, can give that kind of order. Moreover,
when one Carlos Montesa who had been requested by Angela to bail her out went to see respondent,
the latter remarked that she was hardheaded but that there was no need of bonding her because he was
ordering her immediate release. Such remark of respondent indicates that he was aware of Angela’s
confinment pursuant to his order.

Relative to the charge of partiality, the record shows that in Criminal Case No. 46 against
Romulo Manalon for slight physical injuries, the accused, a minor and relative of complainant herein,
was sentenced by respondent to four days’ imprisonment, whereas in a similar case (criminal case
No. 28) against Crisostomo Romero, also a minor, respondent merely placed him under the custody
of another person. I concur with the investigator and the Secretary of Justice that there is no evidence
of partiality in the two cases and that respondent merely committed an error in imposing the proper
penalty in both instances.

Neither has respondent shown partiality by the non-inclusion of the recipients of the money in
the complaint for violation of section 49 of the Revised Election Code (unlawful expenditures) and
filed against Alvaro Gabay (criminal case No. 4289). This appears to be a mistake made not only
by him but also by the policeman who filed the complaint and, later by the provincial fiscal when
the case was elevated to the Court of First Instance. However, the case was dismissed upon motion

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of the fiscal for lack of evidence to sustain conviction. At any rate, it was error for the case to be
filed with, and given due course by, the justice of the peace as it is the Court of First Instance which
has exclusive original jurisdiction over all violations of the election law, including the conduct of
preliminary investigations.

The last charge for falsification, which consists in respondent’s having allegedly stated falsely in
his daily time records that he was out of his district on official business during the periods indicated
therein, when he was supposedly attending to his private cases as a practitioner, and collecting
full salary for the periods covered, has not been sufficiently established and for the time being is
provisionally dismissed, without prejudice to any further investigation that the provincial fiscal may
conduct to give complainant an opportunity to prove the charge which, if true, constitutes a criminal
offense and not a mere misconduct in office.

While this case was under consideration in my office the respondent filed a petition for
reinvestigation, submitting in support thereof the affidavits of two persons which he claimed to be
newly discovered evidence sufficiently strong to warrant his exoneration. However, the Secretary of
Justice finds, and I agree with him, that the affidavits tend merely to corroborate respondent’s claim
that he ordered Policeman Fruto Mirano to take Angela Estores out of his room and not to lodge her
in prison. These affidavits cannot prevail over the testimony of Policeman Mirano and Angela Estores
for the simple reason that the affiants were not in respondent’s office when the incident occurred. They
could not therefore have been in a better position than those two, who were in respondent’s room,
to testify on what the respondent told the policeman. Moreover, as Angela and the policeman were
concerned with what the respondent was going to say, they were naturally listening to him. This cannot
be said of the two affiants who were admittedly transacting business in other parts of the municipal
building.

In conclusion, I find respondent guilty of the following irregularities: (1) abusing his authority
when he ordered, without justifiable cause, the confinement of Angela Estores, as a result of which
she stayed in jail for twenty-five minutes; (2) imposing wrong penalties in two criminal cases; and
(3) accepting a criminal complaint for violation of the Revised Election Code which, under the law
comes under the exclusive original jurisdiction of the Court of First Instance.

The last two irregularities may call for mere admonition to be more careful in the discharge of
his duties; but the first must be dealt with drastically to serve as a lesson and warning not only to
respondent but also to other public officers who, like him, have a perverted notion of their authority.
Respondent should know that a person values his liberty next only to his own life, and yet, in utter
disregard of the constitutional safeguard against undue deprivation of that liberty, he sent a helpless
and innocent woman to jail in a futile attempt to save himself from an embarrassment which he
alone had brought upon himself. It is true that her confinement was only for a short duration but
the respondent is being dealt with not because of the length of Angela’s incarceration but for having
abused his authority.

Wherefore, and in accordance with the recommendation of the Secretary of Justice, Mr. Nemesio
Ganan is hereby removed from office as Justice of the Peace of Badajoz, Despujols and Odiongan,
Romblon, effective upon receipt of notice hereof.

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Done in the City of Manila, this 23rd day of December, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-three, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the eighth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1953). Administrative Order No. 245: Removing Mr. Nemesio Ganan from office as
Justice of the Peace of Badajoz, Despujols, and Odiongan, Romblon. Official Gazette of the Republic
of the Philippines, 50(1), 21-24.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 246

DROPPING THE CHARGES AGAINST DR. ALEJANDRO C. BALTAZAR, CITY HEALTH

OFFICER OF CEBU.

This is an administrative case against Dr. Alejandro C. Baltazar, City Health Officer of Cebu, who
is charged with gross negligence, incompetence and inefficiency, lack of professional and civil service
qualifications, allofness from professional and civic organizations, etc. The charges were looked into by
the Department of Health which recommends that they be dropped for lack of merit.

After going over the papers of the case, I am satisfied that the charges have not been substantiated.
It appears that respondent has done his best to improve public health and sanitation in the city but his
efforts in this direction have not been successful for lack of funds; that although he has not taken post-
graduate work in public health, he is a graduate of the Oklahoma State Medical College and has to
his credit more than sixteen years of service as a public health officer; that he is a civil service eligible,
having passed the junior health officer examination given by the Bureau of Civil Service in 1949; and
that he is a member of the Philippine Public Health Association and an honorary member of the Cebu
Dental Association. Certificates from persons representing local health and civic organizations show
that he has not neglected his professional and social obligations.

In view of the foregoing, the charges against Dr. Alejandro C. Baltazar are hereby dropped and he
is exonerated therefrom.

Done in the City of Manila, this 23rd day of December, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-three, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the eighth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1953). Administrative Order No. 246: Dropping the charges against Dr. Alejandro C.
Baltazar, City Health Officer of Cebu. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 49(12),
5297-5298.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 247
REPRIMANDING COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS ALFREDO V. JACINTO

Mr. Alfredo V. Jacinto, Commissioner of Customs, is charged with having failed to prevent the
entry of contraband firecrackers into the Philippines, to see to it that his directive that the cargo of
sixty-two cases suspected to contain firecrackers instead of butter as declared be guarded and its
contents inspected, was followed, and to take positive action that could have prevented the removal of
the cargo from the pier without examination, which omissions on his part contributed in great measure
to the removal and disappearance of the cargo.

In his defense the respondent claims that the importation of firecrackers is not banned and hence
those found with the shipment of sixty-two cases did not constitute contraband; that the function
of examining incoming cargoes to determine their contents for purposes of duty or tax assessment
devolves upon the collector of customs for the port concerned, in this case that for the port of Manila;
that he did not know of the order of the Secretary of Finance to have the shipment examined nor was
he informed of the order of the Collector of Customs for the Port of Manila to transfer the same from
the pier; and that his failure to follow through his directive to Colonel James H. Keefe, the chief of the
customs secret service and harbor police division, was due to his multifarious duties.

While the contention of respondent as to the noncontraband character of the firecrackers may be
accepted as correct, still said articles, having been misdeclared as butter, were subject to impounding
by the Bureau of Customs for purposes of seizure proceedings. The fact that under the law it is the
Collector of Customs for the Port of Manila who has jurisdiction over matters of the nature here
involved obviously does not divest the respondent of supervisory jurisdiction over said collector. To
hold that a chief of a bureau or office may not intervene in the functions of his deputy or any other
official under him would make that position so weak and impotent that it would become unnecessary
and superfluous in the organizational setup of the bureau or office.

In the present case the respondent, having personal knowledge of the existence of misdeclared
merchandise through a formal verbal report made to him by Colonel Keefe, could and should have
relayed that information to the Collector of Customs for the Port of Manila and directed the latter
to have the entire cargo examined to determine its true contents. However, not only did he fail to do
either but he ever failed to follow up his own directive for the examination of said cargo.

Under the circumstances, the respondent may be said to be partly to blame for what ultimately
happened to the shipment of sixty-two cases above referred to, the firecracker contents of which were
substituted with butter, resulting in loss to the Government. He is therefore hereby reprimanded and
admonished to be more careful henceforth in the performance of his duties. He is also warned that
commission of the same or similar irregularity will be dealt with more severely.

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Done in the City of Manila, this 23rd day of December, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-three, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the eighth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1953). Administrative Order No. 247: Reprimanding Commissioner of Customs
Alfredo V. Jacinto. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 49(12), 5298-5299.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 248
REPRIMANDING CONSUL JUAN C. DIONISIO

This is an administrative case against Mr. Juan C. Dionisio, Consul in the Philippine Consulate
General at San Francisco, California, who is charged with (1) having been arrested with three hundred
Filipinos in December, 1952, in Watsonville, California, for violating the law against cockfighting;

(2) having invoked, when arraigned, his consular immunity which was disregarded by the judge; and

(3) frequenting Watsonville where his brother owns a cockpit and his wife serves as gatekeeper.

On November 29, 1952, a picnic was held at Palm Beach in Watsonville, California, for the
purpose of raising funds for the construction of the headquarters of the Aglipay Lodge, a reputable
fraternal organization of which Mr. Jesus Tabasa, respondent’s brother-in-law, was the “Worshipful
Master.” On that occasion the lodge organized and allowed cockfighting, which is illegal in Watsonville,
to be played at one corner of the picnic grounds, from which it derived some income. Around
three hundred persons, including the respondent and his wife, were present at the picnic and at the
cockfighting. Respondent knew when he went to the picnic that there would be cockfighting and that
this game is illegal in Watsonville. The place was raided by some twenty deputy sheriffs accompanied
by the municipal judge of Watsonville, who would not release anybody unless the lodge or Mr. Tabasa
put up a bail bond of $4,000 to secure the appearance in court of all the persons apprehended. As said
bail bond could not be posted, all the adults were make to deposit $10 with the judge, in accordance
with the practice followed by police magistrates in the United States, amounted to a fine and become
automatically forfeited to the city.

The respondent vaily tried to intervene with the judge in behalf of all those present in order to
relieve them from responsibility, even going to the extent of identifying himself as a Consul of the
Philippines and invoking for the purpose of avoiding undue adverse publicity, his consular immunity.
However, while the rest of the crowd deposited $10 each as bail bond or fine before being allowed to
leave the premises, the respondent and his wife were released without such bail or fine and, although
their names were taken down by a deputy sheriff, the official records of the incident and of the arrests
do not show their names.

It has also been established that the respondent frequented Watsonville because he used to visit
his father, a paralytic, and because his mother and sister (Mr. Tabasa’s wife) live there too; that neither
his brother-in-law nor anyone in respondent’s family owns or runs a cockpit; and that respondent does
not gamble and enjoys an excellent reputation in the area. There is absolutely no evidence that on the
day in question respondent’s wife acted as gatekeeper.

Respondent explains that he went to the picnic in his official capacity upon, the invitation of his
brother-in-law, in order to give moral support to the project of the lodge and to avoid being criticized as
unfriendly to a Filipino community undertaking pursued “with a worthwhile objective.” He stresses the
difficult position of a Philippine foreign affairs officer assigned to areas in the United States where there
is a large number of Filipinos, like the Pacific coast, who expect their country’s representatives there to
take part in all phases of community life, otherwise they would feel abandoned or forsaken by them.

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I am not impressed by respondent’s supposed motive in going to the picnic. He went there because
he wanted to contribute to the success of his brother-in-law’s undertaking. Even if his motive were true,
the same is censurable since he thereby in a way allowed, encouraged, or abetted the violation of a
local law of the country where he was performing his functions. He owes it to the country playing host
to him and to his own country to be ever circumspect in his acts and to use all his official influence in
dissuading and discouraging the nationals of his country from infringing the laws of the host State.
A foreign affairs officer can be friendly and helpful to his compatriots without descending from the
proper level of personal and official conduct that he should always maintain. Unfortunately, some of
our representatives, in their desire to capture the fancy and win the good graces of the members of
Philippine communities abroad, yield to all their desires, no matter how objectionable they may be;
and instead of endeavoring to lead them into honorable ways of life, discouraging overindulgence and
vice, they permit themselves to be placed in embarrassing situations like this one.

The foregoing shows that respondent is guilty of a minor infraction of the criminal law of the
country of his assignment and of an indiscretion and conduct unbecoming a foreign affairs officer
and consul. Considering, however, that the holding of the illegal picnic was imbued with a laudable
purpose; that respondent himself did not participate in the cockfighting game; that cockfighting is legal
in the Philippines on certain days; and that he was prompted by a desire to completely identify himself,
like other consular officers, with our nationals in that area in their undertakings, I am inclined to view
his case with some measure of leniency.

Wherefore, and in accordance with the recommendation of the Department of Foreign Affairs,
Consul Juan C. Dionisio is hereby reprimanded and warned that a repetition of similar act in the
future will be dealt with more drastically. In view of the adverse publicity that has been given to this
case against him in that part of the United States, thereby affecting his prestige and usefulness there,
he should be transferred to another post. The respondent shall be immediately reinstated in the service
and shall be considered as on leave of absence with pay during the period of his preventive suspension.

Done in the City of Manila, this 23rd day of December, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-three, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the eighth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1953). Administrative Order No. 248: Reprimanding Consul Juan C.
Dionisio. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 50(1), 24-26.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 249
EXONERATING MAYOR FELIX P. AMANTE OF BACOLOD CITY

This is an administrative case against Mayor Felix P. Amante of Bacolod City filed by then Acting
Provincial Governor Leon C. Miraflores of Negros Occidental and five mayors of that province for
serious abuse of authority, usurpation of power and gross misconduct. The charges were investigated
through a special investigator by the Integrity Board which found them not sufficiently established.

In connection with the charge for gross misconduct, it appears that on June 13, 1952, respondent
went to the provincial capitol to attend the second day of the Sugarcane Planters Convention but
was denied admission by Acting Governor Miraflores for not being provided with proper credentials
as required by Mr. Alfredo Montelibano. In view of Governor Miraflores’ stubborn refusal to let
respondent in despite the latter’s insistence that as a planter and director of the Bacolod-Murcia
Planters Association he had a right to attend the convention, a discussion ensued between the two
in the course of which respondent asked Governor Miraflores whether he was acting as a porter or
janitor of Mr. Montelibano, to which the governor retorted that he was just doing his duty as executive
of the province in maintaining peace and order, for he was the one who issued the permit for the use of
the social hall of the capitol. When Governor Miraflores told Mayor Amante to see Mr. Montelibano,
the respondent said that nobody could stop him because he had a perfect right to attend the convention
for being a planter and director of the Bacolod-Murcia Planters Association and because as mayor of
Bacolod City he had jurisdiction over the capitol as a public building in the maintenance of peace and
order. At this juncture Governor Miraflores revoked the permit for the use of the social hall, and it was
announced that the convention would be held somewhere in Talisay, Negros Occidental.

The Board found no valid reason for Governor Miraflores’ refusal to admit respondent into the
convention hall, the latter being the mayor of Bacolod City and a planter and director of the Bacolod-
Murcia Planters Association, aside from the fact that Mr. Ildefonso Coscolluela was permitted to enter
the hall without being required to produce the necessary credentials which he in fact did not have.
However, it observed that there was no justification for the respondent to insult Governor Miraflores
by asking him whether he was a porter or janitor of Mr. Montelibano. The Board noted the existence
of strained and unfriendly relations between the two officials due to factional differences to which the
sad occurrence was traceable.

After carefully going over the record of the case, I concur in the Board’s findings and observations.

Wherefore, and upon the recommendation of the Integrity Board, City Mayor Felix P. Amante is
hereby exonerated of the charges, with the admonition to observe courtesy and respect in his dealings
with other government officials and the general public so as to avoid repetition of unfortunate incidents
like the one which took place in the provincial capitol of Negros Occidental on June 13, 1952.

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Done in the City of Manila, this 23rd day of December, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-three, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the eighth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1953). Administrative Order No. 249: Exonerating Mayor Felix P. Amante of
Bacolod City. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 49(12), 5299-5301.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 250

DISMISSING THE CHARGE AGAINST PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR FELIXBERTO C. DAGANI

OF AGUSAN

This is an administrative case filed by Congressman Marcos M. Calo of Agusan against Provincial
Governor Felixberto C. Dagani of the same province for having been supposedly involved in an
irregular transaction concerning the barter of the provincial government car assigned to the respondent
for his official use.

It is claimed that the government car in question was given a lower appraisal because many parts
thereof were found missing by the appraiser-inspector of the General Auditing Office; that although
respondent knew that those parts were not missing but were just lying around the car or somewhere in
the repair shop, he did not inform the representative of the General Auditing Office accordingly; and
that such omission on the part of the respondent resulted in the loss to the province of the amount of
P850, the value of the parts listed as missing, for which he should be made answerable. Respondent
contends, however, that although he was present at the inspection it was not incumbent upon him to
check the report of the appraiser-inspector of the General Auditing Office and that he should not be
held responsible for said official’s failure to discharge his duties properly.

The case was investigated by the Integrity Board which found the following facts duly established:

On March 10, 1952, the 1949 Chevrolet car owned by the Province of Agusan, which had
been damaged in an accident, was shipped to Manila, complete in every respect, for repairs. It was
also complete when it reached Manila and was delivered to the Mercado Automobile Repair Shop
on P. Paredes Street on March 13, 1952. The car was immediately dismantled and its wheel rims,
tires, generator, carburetor, and other parts were removed and sent to the respective departments of
the shop for examination and repair. On March 18, 1952, when the car was inspected and appraised
by a technical property inspector of the General Auditing Office in the presence of the respondent, it
was really incomplete because, as already stated, the parts and accessories mentioned above had been
removed and sent to the respective departments of the shop. However, the inspector of the General
Auditing Office did not inquire as to the whereabouts of those parts and accessories but simply came
to the conclusion that they were missing and listed them so.

The Board also found that the General Auditing Office was about to recommend the approval
of the barter transaction with Mr. Nicolas Tria Enciso on the basis of the resolution of the Provincial
Board of Agusan and the report of the provincial appraisal committee (composed of the provincial
treasurer, the Provincial Auditor, and the District Engineer) but upon learning that the government
car was here in Manila for repairs, said office deferred action on the matter and instead sent its
representative to inspect and appraised the car; so that had the car remained in Butuan, the inspection
made there would have been valid for the purpose of the transaction. The report of the technical
property inspector did not affect the arrangement approved in Butuan because, as finally carried out,
the province acquired Mr. Enciso’s car in exchange for its car plus P4,500 in cash. As the government
car was badly damaged and needed extensive repairs, the province did not lose in the transaction.

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In view of the foregoing, the Integrity Board recommends the dismissal of the charge against the
respondent for lack of merit. After going over the record of the case, I concur in the Board’s findings
and recommendation.

Wherefore, the charge against Provincial Governor Felixberto C. Dagani of Agusan is hereby
dismissed.

Done in the City of Manila, this 23rd day of December, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-three, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the eighth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source-. Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1953). Administrative Order No. 250: Dismissing the charge against Provincial
Governor Felixberto C. Dagani of Agusan. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 50(1),
26-28.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 251

IMPOSING A FINE ON MAYOR FELIX P. AMANTE OF BACOLOD CITY AND
REPRIMANDING ENGINEER SEGUNDO GARDE OF THE DISTRICT ENGINEER’S OFFICE OF

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL.

In separate complaints filed with the Integrity Board City Mayor Felix P. Amante of Bacolod
and Engineer Segundo Garde of the District Engineer’s Office of Negros Occidental are charged with
misappropriation of public funds and property and arbitrary dismissal of civil service employees,
committed as mayor and as acting city engineer of Bacolod, respectively. It is alleged:

(1) That sometime in August 1951, about two weeks after assuming office as city mayor,
respondent Felix P. Amante caused a garage to be constructed in his residence with government
materials and labor falsely charged to the repair of the City Hall of Bacolod;

(2) That the same respondent, taking advantage of his official position, procured the delivery to
his residence of six reinforced concrete pipes belonging to the City Government of Bacolod;

(3) That respondent Segundo Garde (together with several subordinate employees in the city
engineer’s office) caused to be diverted for the private use of the Hacienda Bayabas, Bago, Negros
Occidental, a total of thirteen reinforced concrete pipes valued at PI 95 belonging to the City
Government, which pipes were delivered to the hacienda with the use of government vehicles; and

(4) That both respondents conspired with each other in the dismissal from the service without just
cause and in the abolition of the positions of complainants Antonio T. Orceo and Hibernon Salazar,
former water-meter inspectors in the office of the city engineer of Bacolod.

Being interrelated, the cases against these two respondents were heard jointly by the Integrity
Board which found charges (2) and (3) without merit. As to the other charges, it found the following
facts duly established.

That although there was a structure or building, more or less permanent in character, within
the premises of the City Hall of Bacolod with three compartments big enough to accommodate three
automobiles, and despite the fact that there is a balcony at the main door of his house with adequate
roofing to protect from the elements at night the official car assigned to him, yet Mayor Amante
procured the construction in his residence of a temporary structure with government materials and
labor;

That the roofing and sidings of said structure were made of old galvanized iron sheets salvaged
from the former city hall which was partly destroyed by fire in 1948 and flattened asphalt barrels,
respectively; that the cost of labor was between P40 and P50 and the lumber about P150, all the
lumber used therein having been included in an official requisition prepared by Acting City Engineer
Garde ostensibly for use in the repair of the City Hall;

That respondent Garde did not prepare any special requisition expressly mentioning that the
building materials were needed in constructing a temporary garage for the city mayor because he knew
that such a requisition would not have been passed in audit; and

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That respondent Amante arbitrarily dismissed complainants Orceo and Salazar, who were civil
service eligibles, without benefit of an investigation or an opportunity to be heard.

The Board observed that the procedure followed in the construction of the temporary garage
within the premises of the respondent mayor was irregular and objectionable. The inclusion of the
supplies purchased for, and used in, such construction in a regular requisition, ostensibly for the repair
of the City Hall, technically amounted to falsification, despite the fact that neither respondent was
personally benefited thereby. In the light of the foregoing, the Board recommended that, in addition to
both being warned, Mayor Amante be fined for the irregular and reprehensible procedure employed
in the construction of the garage in his residence and for the arbitrary dismissal of two civil service
employees without benefit of an investigation or an opportunity to be heard, and Engineer Garde
be reprimanded for irregularity in the performance of his duties as former Acting City Engineer of
Bacolod in connection with the construction of the garage in question.

After going over the record, I concur in the above findings, observations and recommendation of
the Integrity Board.

Wherefore, and in accordance with the recommendation of the Integrity Board, City Mayor Felix P.
Amante is hereby fined in an amount equivalent to his salary for fifteen days and Engineer Segundo
Garde is hereby reprimanded. Both are also warned that repetition of similar acts in the future will be
dealt with more drastically.

Done in the City of Manila, this 23rd day of December, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-three, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the eighth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1953). Administrative Order No. 251: Imposing a fine on Mayor Felix P. Amante of
Bacolod City and reprimanding Engineer Segundo Garde of the District Engineer’s Office of Negros
Occidental. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 49(12), 5301-5303.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 252
ADMONISHING CITY TREASURER QUIRICO BATTAD OF BUTUAN

This is an administrative case against Mr. Quirico Battad, City Treasurer of Butuan, who, as
assistant provincial treasurer of Agusan and in charged of the office in the absence of the provincial
treasurer, allegedly authorized the payment of PI, 003. 40 for undelivered supplies, in violation of
existing regulations on the matter.

Respondent admits having made advance payment but tries to justify his actuation on the
following grounds: (1) that after the liberation the Bureau of Supply always required advance payment
to cover the cost of supplies requisitioned because merchants would not deliver the goods unless the
cost thereof had been paid first; (2) that subscription fees for newspapers and magazines are also
paid in advance; (3) that the supplies were then badly needed; and (4) that the goods paid for were
subsequently delivered.

Except for the first ground, the others were evidently availed of by the respondent for want of
better reasons to support his actuation. Considering his long and extensive experience in the treasury
service, he knew, or should have known, that purchases of supplies and subscriptions for newspapers
and magazines are matters distinct from each other by reason of their nature and are covered by
different regulations. Neither will the urgent need of the Government for supplies justify the advancing
of public funds for the purchase thereof. Similarly the subsequent delivery of the goods does not excuse,
although it might mitigate, the irregularity committed.

As regards the first ground, that after the liberation the Bureau of Supply always required the
local governments to make advance payment to cover the cost of supplies requisitioned by them
because merchants would not make delivery without payments first of the goods, and hence advance
payment made directly to the dealer instead of through the Bureau of Supply is not in order but even
simpler and faster, respondent should know that the Purchasing Agents pays the cost of the articles
involved only upon, not before, delivery of the same to his office.

In view of the foregoing, I find respondent guilty of the charge. Considering, however, the
relatively small amount involved, the fact that the province did not suffer any loss in the transaction
and respondent’s long service in the Government, he is hereby merely admonished to be more careful
in the discharge of his duties, with a warning that commission of similar irregularity in the future will
be dealt with more severely.

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Done in the City of Manila, this 23rd day of December, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-three, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the eighth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1953). Administrative Order No. 252: Admonishing City Treasurer Quirico Battad
of Butuan. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 49(12), 5303-5304.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 253

TRANSFERRING PROVINCIAL TREASURER MELANIO HONRADO OF BOHOL

This is an administrative case against Mr. Melanio Honrado, Provincial Treasurer of Bohol, who
is charged with (1) refusing to replace in the service non-civil service eligibles with civil service eligibles,
(2) persisting in employing non-civil service eligibles despite the certification of eligibles by the Bureau
of Civil Service and (3) abusing his authority in unjustifiably giving his assistant treasurer semestral
efficiency rating as low as 66 per cent without taking corresponding administrative action against him
as required by the regulations.

Denying the charges, respondent explains, as to the first, that the names of the six persons
recommended by the complainant, Congressman Luis T. Clarin, were not included in the latest lists
of eligibles with still valid eligibilities furnished by the Commissioner of Civil Service, nor had the
recommendees submitted proof of the validity of their civil service eligibilities; and that four of said
recommendees were already working in other government offices and need not be accommodated in
his office, while the other two could not, in accordance with the ruling of the Civil Service, hold clerical
positions in the treasury service as they were just patrolman eligible.

Respondent’s explanation is not satisfactory. It does not appear that he made inquiry from the
Bureau of Civil Service whether the civil service eligible of the complainant’s recommendees were still
good. Had he done so, he would have been informed in the affirmative, at least insofar as the case
of five of them was concerned. The mere fact that four of said recommendees were working in other
government offices was no valid reason for not considering them for appointment to positions in
respondent’s office which were being held by temporary employees.

As regards the second charge, respondent claims that non-eligibles continued to be employed in
his office because those certified by the Bureau of Civil Service were not available for employment.
It appears that on January 25, 1952, the Commissioner of Civil Service certified to respondent a list
of eligibles who could replace temporary employees in his office. Notwithstanding this certification,
respondent proposed the appointment of several persons who had no civil service eligibility. It further
appears that despite the memorandum dated May 23, 1952, of the chief clerk of the Bureau of Civil
Service, on the feasibility for appointment as clerk of certain recommendees of Congressman Clarin
because of their civil service eligibilities, respondent still maintained that there were no available civil
service eligibles who could replace the temporary employees in his office. I therefore find respondent’s
explanation also unsatisfactory.

Relative to the last charge, respondent maintains that the efficiency rating of 66 per cent given by
him to Mr. Dionisio Borja, his assistant, was in accordance with his real worth and that administrative
charges have already been filed against him. The record shows that prior to respondents’s assumption
of office as Provincial Treasurer of Bohol, Assistant Provincial Treasurer Borja obtained efficiency
ratings ranging from 95 per cent to 100 per cent. However, during the incumbency of respondent,
the same went down to 77 per cent on December 31, 1949, and 66 per cent on December 31, 1950.
Yet, respondent did not take any action against him for inefficiency until the Department of Finance

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instructed him to do so. Under instruction No. 6 in Civil Service Form No. 54, administrative action
should be taken against any employee who obtains an efficiency rating below 70 per cent. If indeed
there was basis for giving Mr. Borja an efficiency rating of 66 per cent, respondent was nevertheless
guilty of neglect of duty in failing to take proper administrative action against him as enjoined by the
instruction above referred to.

In view of the foregoing, and upon the recommendation of the Secretary of Finance, Mr. Melanio
Honrado shall be transferred to another province or position.

Done in the City of Manila, this 23rd day of December, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-three, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the eighth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1953). Administrative Order No. 253: Transferring Provincial Treasurer Melanio
Honrado of Bohol. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 49(12), 5304-5306.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 254
FINING RAMON DADO, JR., PROVINCIAL TREASURER OF ABRA

This is an administrative case against Mr. Ramon Dado, Jr., Provincial Treasurer of Abra, for
alleged irregularities committed by him in the acquisition of printed forms during his incumbency as
city treasurer of Legaspi.

It appears that in violation of existing regulations respondent acquired outside the Bureau of
Printing printed forms some of which far exceeded the requirements of the service for six months.

By way of explanation, respondent states that the forms were purchased outside the Bureau of
Printing because they were not then available in said office and there was urgent need therefor. He
attributes the excessive purchase to his ignorance of the regulations because he had been out of the
treasury service for more than two years. His explanation is not wholly satisfactory.

In view, however, of the total absence of bad faith on the part of respondent whose explanation
rings with sincerity and the circumstances surrounding the acquisition, I am inclined to take a more
lenient attitude toward his case.

Wherefore, respondent Ramon Dado, Jr., is hereby fined in an amount equivalent to his salary for
five days with a warning that commission of similar irregularity in the future will be dealt with more
severely.

Done in the City of Manila, this 23rd day of December, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-three, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the eighth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1953). Administrative Order No. 254: Fining Ramon Dado, Jr., Provincial Treasurer
of Abra. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 49(12), 5306-5307.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 255

SUSPENDING MR. RAMON DADO, JR., AS PROVINCIAL TREASURER OF SURIGAO

This is an administrative case against Supervising Treasurer Ramon Dado, Jr., now Acting
Provincial Treasurer of Bohol, who is charged with lewd and lascivious behavior and improper use of
government car committed while he was provincial treasurer of Surigao. Upon his request, a formal
investigation of the charges was conducted by the Department of Finance, and he was given full
opportunity to present his side of the case.

After carefully going over the record of the case, I am convinced that the respondent committed
the lewd and lascivious acts imputed to him by Mesdames Caridad B. Paquee and Juanita A. Buniel and
Miss Urbana Alapag. These women had no motive to testify falsely against him. In testifying against
him, they were evidently imbued with no other purpose than to seek redress for the indignities to
which they had been subjected by the respondent. The offense committed on Mrs. Paquee is aggravated
by the fact that she is the wife of the municipal treasurer of Cantilan, Surigao, then a subordinate of
the respondent.

Wherefore, and in accordance with the recommendation of the Secretary of Finance, Mr. Ramon
Dado, Jr., is hereby suspended from office for a period of four months without pay, effective as of the
date of his preventive suspension by reason of this case. He is further severely reprimanded and warned
that commission of similar acts in the future will be a sufficient cause for his separation from the
service.

Done in the City of Manila, this 23rd day of December, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-three, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the eighth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1953). Administrative Order No. 255: Suspending Mr. Ramon Dado, Jr., as Provincial
Treasurer of Surigao. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 49(12), 5307-5308.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 256

WARNING PROVINCIAL TREASURER GREGORIO S. CASTELO OF ISABELA

This is an administrative case against Mr. Gregorio S. Castelo, Provincial Treasurer of Isabela, for
his alleged failure to limit and control the funds that should remain in the possession of Mr. Antonio
Ligaya, formerly Municipal Treasurer of Echague, Isabela, as a consequence of which the latter was
able to malverse the sum of P56,388.56.

Specifically, the charges are: (1) that respondent failed to require Municipal Treasurer Ligaya
to submit on time his weekly cash reports despite letters to that effect of the provincial auditor;

(2) that the loss to the government could have been minimized had respondent and his personnel given
proper attention to the cash reports of the offending treasurer and to the timely submission thereof;

(3) that he allowed Mr. Ligaya to withdraw the sums of P8,000 and P9,000 on two occasions without
first determining the actual cash then in his hands; and (4) that he merely prescribed the duties of his
subordinates without seeing to it that his instructions were followed by them.

After going over the record, I find that the charges, with the exception of the last, have been
satisfactorily explained by the respondent.

As regards the last charge, the record show that respondent prescribed the duties of his
subordinates under certain special orders issued by him. It does not appear, however, that he
made efforts to ascertain whether or not his instructions were being observed by them; otherwise
he would have discovered that they were remiss in the discharge of their duties. As provincial
treasurer, respondent is in duty bound to examine, personally or through his representative, the cash
transactions of his municipal treasurers to enable him to fix the cash reserve limit for them. This
could be done by examining the records to determine the collections and payments of the different
treasurers. Had he done so, he would have discovered that notwithstanding the substantial amounts
deposited from time to time by Mr. Ligaya the subordinates in his office had not taken any step
to require Municipal Treasurer Ligaya to deposit his excess cash much oftener than he did, or to
increase his bond in an amount commensurate with his collections. Evidently respondent was rather
remiss in this respect.

In view of the foregoing, and as recommended by the Secretary of Finance, Mr. Gregorio S.
Castelo is hereby warned to be more careful in the discharge of his duties, as commission of similar
irregularity in the future will be dealt with more severely.

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Done in the City of Manila, the 23rd day of December, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-three, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the eighth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1953). Administrative Order No. 256: Warning Provincial Treasurer Gregorio S.
Castelo of Isabela. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 50(1), 28-29.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 257

REMOVING MR. SALVADOR GAYAO FROM OFFICE AS JUSTICE OF THE PEACE OF
MANABO, BOLINEY AND DANAC, ABRA.

This is an administrative case against Justice of the Peace Salvador Gayao of Manabo, Boliney
and Danac, Abra, for partiality and abuse of authority in connection with criminal cases Nos. 61, 62
and 63 filed with this court of Manabo.

1. Criminal case No. 61. It appears that on June 20, 1952, complainant Juan Bernales filed
criminal case No. 61 for grave threats against Vice-Mayor Manuel Cacho of Manabo, Chief of Police
Bayed Progreso, Councilor Sumalog Lucnagan and several others. Before the actual filing of the case,
however, or on June 14, 1952, respondent, upon being apprised of Bernales’ desire to prosecute Vice-
Mayor Cacho and companions, took the testimony of Bernales and his wife and daughter. At the same
time he summoned all the prospective accused and their witnesses to appear before him on June 19,
1952, and instructed one Sergeant Lara of the Constabulary to get complete copies of the affidavits
of all the persons concerned to determine the party that should file a complaint. On June 19, 1952,
respondent again took the declarations of the Bernales family as well as those of the prospective
accused and their witnesses.

As above stated, it was only on June 20, 1952, that Bernales actually filed the criminal complaint
for grave threats against Vice-Mayor Cacho and others. Without conducting any investigation
thereafter to determine the existence of probable cause as required by the Rules of Court, respondent
in a lengthy order, dated June 28, 1952, rejected the complaint for lack of merit. However, the reasons
given by him for so doing are legally untenable, not to say flimsy. For instance, it is of no moment that
the criminal complaint alleged the crime of grave threats while in the administrative complaint filed by
the complainant with the provincial governor Vice-Mayor Cacho and his companions were denounced
for theft or robbery, inasmuch as the gist of both accusations is essentially the same. It is elementary
that what controls is not the designation of the offense but the allegations in the body of the complaint.
Similarly, it is immaterial in grave threats that complainant Bernales was not the owner of the two
wooden posts which gave rise to the incident resulting in the filing of the criminal action.

2. Criminal case No. 62. On the same day that Juan Bernales, complainant herein, instituted
criminal case No. 61 against Vice-Mayor Cacho, Councilor Lucnagan, Chief of Police Progreso and
others, the said Chief of police, with the councilor as supposed offended party, filed in respondent’s
court criminal case No. 62 for libel against Juan Bernales, his wife and his twelve-year-old daughter
based on their sworn statements given before the respondent on June 14 and 19, 1952, wherein they
narrated the incident leading to the filing of criminal case No. 61. Although the complaint on its face
was fatally defective for not satisfying three of the four essential elements of the offense, which should
have prompted the respondent not to give due course to it, yet he ordered the arrest of the defendants
without giving them an opportunity to present their side, unlike in the case against the councilor and
others who were afforded every opportunity to do so even before the complaint against them had been
actually filed.

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On the contrary, he committed further acts of abuse of authority even after he had ordered
their arrest. Thus, it has been established that he tried to discourage the bondsmen of the accused by
exaggerating their liability as such; that, taking advantage of the entreaties of Bernales’ wife that she
and her daughter be released (Bernales was arrested later for having been out of town), respondent
tried to convince her that she and her husband should first desist from pressing their complaint against
Vice-Mayor Cacho and others before he consider her pleas; and that although the bonds for mother
and daughter were duly approved by the respondent on July 3,1952, he ordered their release only on
July 9, 1952, thereby unjustly depriving them of their liberty for six days.

3. Criminal case No. 63. Following the rejection by respondent of criminal case No. 61 against
Vice-Mayor Cacho et al., said Cacho and chief of Police Progreso instituted criminal case No. 63 for
malicious prosecution against Juan Bernales and his wife and daughter. Although respondent himself
greatly doubted the existence of a crime called “malicious prosecution” as admitted by him in his letter
to the District Judge dated August 12, 1952, yet he did not dismiss the case but allowed it to remain in
the docket for an indefinite period.

The District Judge who investigated the charges against the respondent has expressed the view that
the irregularities committed by the latter in these three cases were not due to his ignorance but to a desire
to retaliate against complainant Bernales for stating in his letter-complaint to the governor against the
aforesaid local official of Manabo that he could not expect justice from the respondent were he to file
his complaint direct with him because respondent and the mayor belonged to the same group. The Judge
is likewise of the view that respondent’s actuations were also influenced by his relationship to Councilor
Lucnagan, one of the accused in criminal case No. 61, whom he admitted to be related to his wife.

The Acting Secretary of Justice fully agrees, and so do I, with the District Judge. It has been
amply shown that from the very beginning the respondent was bent on favoring Vice-Mayor Cacho
and his companions in their determination to harass the Bernales family who had the temerity to file
administrative and criminal charges against them. The irregularities perpetrated by the respondent
contravene elementary provisions of law and procedure, and only a justice of the peace with ulterior
motives could have acted as he did. As a matter of fact, the respondent did not even plead good faith in
his defense but insisted on justifying his perverted actuations.

In view of the seriousness of the irregularities committed by the respondent, I am constrained to
take drastic action against him. Wherefore, and upon the recommendation of the Acting Secretary of
Justice, Mr. Salvador Gayao is hereby removed from service, effective as of the date of his suspension.

Done in the City of Manila, this 28th day of December, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-three, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the eighth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1953). Administrative Order No. 257: Removing Mr. Salvador Gayao from office
as Justice of the Peace of Manabo, Boliney and Danac, Abra. Official Gazette of the Republic of the
Philippines, 49(12), 5308-5310.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 258

ON THE ADMINISTRATIVE CASE OF JUSTICE OF THE PEACE TOMAS A. ACOSTA OF

BACARRA, ILOCOS NORTE.

This is an administrative case against Justice of the Peace Tomas A. Acosta of Bacarra, Ilocos Norte,
for alleged grave abuse of authority, corruption and other irregularities filed by one Mrs. Maria R.
Prudencio.

From the record of investigation conducted by the district judge it appears that on December 20,
1951, complainant, as toll collector of the Bacarra toll gate, reminded in writing (Exhibit A) respondent
about his account of PI. 80 representing unpaid toll fees. Respondent evidently deeply resented this act of
the complainant, because he believed that the account had not been incurred by him or he thought that it
had already been paid by the complainant in consideration of the free rides he had given her in his jeep,
as shown by the fact that when he arrived at the toll house on December 22, 1951, to settle said account,
he was visibly angry, so much so that he bumped his jeep against the bar placed across the street and that
while inside the toll house he made the following remarks. “For that small amount, that could be settled
amicably rather than for Mrs. Prudencio to have sent that letter. She should not do that because that is
only a small amount. Anyway, I will be of service to her in the future.” Because of his resentment against
the complainant he tried every means to harass her and her family as will presently be shown.

While respondent was still at the toll house, an explosion apparently caused by dynamite was
heard from the direction of the river. Whereupon the respondent directed the chief of police and his
policemen to apprehend the malefactors. One of the persons brought by the peace officers to the
respondent was Romulo Prudencio, a twelve-year-old son of the complainant. Two men were said to
have escaped. Upon learning that the boy was complainant’s son, respondent told him that if he could
not give the names of the persons who ran away he would order his prosecution, and when the boy
answered that he did not know their names although he could identify them if he saw them again,
respondent remarked: “Maybe I could be of service now to Mrs. Prudencio. This is may chance.”

It also appears that on December 26, 1951, respondent wrote a letter (Exhibit B) to the
complainant wherein he said: “I hope that I may be of service to you sometime.” Respondent claims
that there is nothing wrong in that statement of his in Exhibit B as it is but an expression of his
gratitude to the complainant and an offer to help her also if she ever needed his help.

In the light of the surrounding circumstances, however, respondent’s explanation cannot be
accepted. The complainant had not done him any favor for which he should be grateful to her; on
the contrary, it was she who owned him some favors for the free rides in his jeep. Furthermore, on
December 28, 1951, or only two days after respondent had written Exhibit B, a complaint for illegal
fishing with the use of dynamite was filed in his court against complainant’s son, (with respondent as
the principal witness). A warrant of arrest was issued by him on the same day and he fixed the bail
bond P3,000 for the provisional liberty of the boy which the complainant had difficulty in putting up,
resulting in the detention of the boy for three days in the municipal building during which time he had
to be accompanied there by the complainant. As above stated, respondent acted as the principal witness

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for the prosecution. Nevertheless, he received the case and conducted the preliminary investigation
despite the petition of the defense for his inhibition.

It is significant to note that in a similar case of fishing with the use of dynamite filed in his court
on January 4, 1952, against Mariano Bonoan (criminal case No. 256), respondent admitted that had
the case not been dismissed he would have fixed the bail bond at P600. He explained the disparity in
the bail required in the two cases by the fact that Bonoan was prosecuted under a municipal ordinance
which penalizes the act as a minor offense, whereas Prudencio was prosecuted under Act No. 4003
carries a heavier penalty. However, respondent failed to explain why Prudencio was prosecuted under
Act No. 4003, and Bonoan under a municipal ordinance only, when the violation allegedly committed
in both instances is identical and the ordinance in question was already in existence when Prudencio
committed the act complained of.

As the district judge aptly stated in his decision acquitting Romulo Prudencio of the criminal
charge:

“The Justice of the Peace [referring to respondent] as witness for the
prosecution in this case is partial, biased and interested witness. He acted as
principal witness and Judge at the same time in the preliminary investigation that
he conducted against the accused. It is clear from the evidence that this criminal
action is the result of revenge against Mrs. Prudencio, mother of the accused
herein, for having collected from him the amount of PI. 80 as toll fees.”

It is worthy of note that respondent did not even make any attempt to have this portion of the court
decision reconsidered.

The ill-feeling and personal animosity of the respondent toward the complainant as a result of
her letter of demand above referred to is further reflected on his two communications to the provincial
treasurer of Ilocos Norte, copies of which were furnished the provincial governor and the provincial
auditor, charging her with irregularities in the issuance of toll tickets and with riding free of charge
on vehicles and allowing these vehicles to pass through the toll gate, of which she is the toll collector,
without paying the necessary toll fees.

It has likewise been shown that immediately after the filing of this administrative case against
the respondent on February 14, 1952, three separate criminal actions for estafa (docketed as criminal
cases Nos. 265, 266 and 267) were instituted against the complainant in respondent’s court in rapid
succession, to wit, on February 18 and March 1 and 8, 1952. The institution of these cases was
undoubtedly instigated by the respondent, his denial notwithstanding, considering that the acts alleged
in the complaints were supposedly committed long before the cases were filed. Their filing immediately
and only after the present administrative case against the respondent had been instituted could not be
a mere coincidence. Even granting that he did not instigate the filing of these criminal charges, still he is
guilty of misconduct for insisting on taking cognizance thereof notwithstanding complainant’s justified
petition that he inhibit himself therefrom. It is notworthy that all these cases were dismissed for lack
of merit by the justice of the peace of Vintar, Ilocos Norte, to whom they were indorsed by the district
judge for trial and disposition.

The extent and intensity of respondent’s vindictiveness is further demonstrated in his several
letters to the Philippine American Life Insurance Company denouncing her for engaging in insurance
activities on behalf of said company without its authority and in his filing of a criminal complaint
against her for violation of the Insurance Act with the provincial fiscal’s office of Ilocos Norte.

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From the foregoing, it is clear that the respondent is guilty of abuse of authority and discretion,
misconduct and vindictiveness, to a degree which renders him totally unfit to remain in the judiciary. It
appearing, however, that he has in the meantime tendered his resignation, the same is hereby accepted
effective as of the date of his suspension from office.

Done in the City of Manila, this 28th day of December, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-three, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the eighth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1953). Administrative Order No. 258: On the administrative case of Justice of the
Peace Tomas A. Acosta of Bacarra, Ilocos Norte. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines,
49(12), 5311-5314.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 259

REMOVING MR. FRANK H. DANAO FROM OFFICE AS PROVINCIAL TREASURER OF

LANAO

This is an administrative case against Mr. Frank H. Danao, Provincial Treasurer of Lanao, for
dishonesty resulting from his complicity in the commission of the crime of estafa through falsification
of a commercial document from which he was sentenced by the Court of First Instance of Lanao
to suffer a prison term, to indemnify, jointly with his co-accused, the offended party in the sum of
P6, 345.20, etc.

It appears that on February 18, 1948, the respondent, in his capacity as provincial treasurer of
Lanao, paid to Liwalog Bangon the value of a check belonging to Lt. Anongcar Gumanod covering
the latter’s arrears in pay, knowing full well that the one cashing it was not its lawful owner, thereby
facilitating the perpetration of the offense. It also appears that in so paying the check respondent was
motivated by a desire to obtain personal profit for himself, he having retained and received the sum of
PI, 345. 20 out of its total value of P6, 345. 20.

The foregoing shows not only dishonesty but a criminal disposition on the part of respondent
rendering him unfit to remain in the public service. Accordingly, and upon recommendation of the
Secretary of Finance, Mr. Frank H. Danao is hereby removed from office as Provincial Treasurer of
Lanao, effective as of July 17, 1948, the date of his suspension.

Done in the City of Manila, this 28th day of December, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-three, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the eighth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source : Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1953). Administrative Order No. 259: Removing Mr. Frank H. Danao from office as
Provincial Treasurer of Lanao. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 50(1), 29-30.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 260

MODIFYING ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 53, DATED APRIL 23, 1948, BY CONSIDERING
MR. ESTEBAN T. BUMANGLAG AS HAVING RESIGNED FROM OFFICE AS JUSTICE OF THE
PEACE OF TALIPAO AND MAIMBUNG, PROVINCE OF SULU, WITHOUT PREJUDICE TO

REINSTATEMENT

In Administrative Order No. 53, dated April 23, 1948, Mr. Esteban T. Bumanglag was removed
from office as Justice of the Peace of Talipao and Maimbung, Province of Sulu, (1) for having collected
his salary corresponding to March 12 and 13, 1947, despite his absence from office on said dates and
(2) for having demanded and collected the sum of P60 from a person who had a case brought in his
court.

Upon the petition of the respondent, the case was reinvestigated. During the reinvestigation it was
established that on March 12, 1947, the respondent performed the following official acts:

1. Received from Mr. Angel Jamias, Acting Justice of the Peace of Talipao and Maimbung before
respondent’s appointment thereto, the records of criminal cases Nos. 1, 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15 and 18
pertaining to Talipao and Maimbung;

2. Issued warrants for the arrest of Moros Sabtal Jinani, Jupakal Jakaria, and Duran; and

3. A parolee named Ahkkam (Moro), a resident of Bilaan, municipal district of Talipao, reported
in person to the respondent as required by existing regulations.

It was also established that the respondent performed the following official acts on March 13,
1947:

1. Issued a subpoena directing Councilor Sajidain to appear in his court at Maimbung on April 3,
1947;

2. Brought to the office of the Provincial Fiscal of Sulu, in compliance with a subpoena duces
tecum , the record of criminal case No. 19 filed in his court; and

3. Issued warrants for the arrest of Saji Saddae, Hadjan, Amdan Amiladjad Usab, and Hussin J.
Jaing.

Having performed the foregoing officials acts on March 12 and 13, 1947, the respondent was
justified in collecting his salary corresponding thereto.

As regards the second ground for respondent’s removal from office, it was established during the
reinvestigation that he did not demand, much less collect, the sum of P60 from Moro Ambut who had
brought a case in his court. Said amount appears to have been given by Ambut to Lt. Haradji for a
“blowout” for the soldiers who were responsible for the return of the former’s daughter after she had
been abducted.

Wherefore, and as recommended by the Secretary of Justice, Administrative Order No. 53, dated
April 23, 1948, is hereby modified in the sense that Mr. Esteban T. Bumanglag is considered as having
resigned from office as Justice of the Peace of Talipao and Maimbung, Province of Sulu, effective on the
date of his separation from the service, without prejudice to reinstatement.

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Done in the City of Manila, this 28th day of December, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-three, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the eighth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1953). Administrative Order No. 260: Modifying Administrative Order No. 53, dated
April 23, 1948, by considering Mr. Esteban T. Bumanglag as having resigned from office as Justice of
the Peace of Talipao and Maimbung, Province of Sulu, without prejudice to reinstatement. Official
Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 50(1), 30.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 261

DISMISSING THE CHARGES AGAINST CITY MAYOR ARSENIO H. LACSON OF MANILA

This is an administrative case against City Mayor Arsenio H. Lacson of Manila filed by Eusebio S.
Millar for abuse of authority and oppression in connection with the issuance to the Ramcar, Inc., of
a permit to operate a garage and auto repair shop at 1377 General Luna, Manila, and his refusal to
order the closing of said business allegedly located in an improper zone and constituting a nuisance.
The charges were investigated by the Integrity Board which recommends their dismissal for lack of
merit, etc.

It appears that when the City Fiscal and the City Engineer of Manila were requested by the
respondent to inform him as to the legality and propriety of issuing a license and permit to Ramcar,
Inc., to operate a garage and motor vehicle repair shop at 1377 General Luna, Manila, said officials
rendered conflicting opinions, and the respondent chose to follow the opinion of the City Engineer to
the effect that “a garage with or without an accompanying shop for automotive vehicle is a permissible
business in a commercial zone * * For having done so in the exercise of his discretion, the
respondent cannot be said to have acted with abuse of power and authority. Whether the operation of
a garage and motor vehicle repair shop constitutes a public or private nuisance and should be removed
or abated, the remedy lies elsewhere than in this office.

In view of the foregoing, and upon the recommendation of the Integrity Board, the charges
against Mayor Arsenio H. Lacson are hereby dismissed.

Done in the City of Manila, this 29th day of December, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-three, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the eighth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1953). Administrative Order No. 261: Dismissing the charges against City Mayor
Arsenio H. Lacson of Manila. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 49(12), 5314-5315.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 262

CONSIDERING AS HAVING RESIGNED MR. ANTONIO D. PAGUIA AS MANAGER OF THE
DEFUNCT NATIONAL LAND SETTLEMENT ADMINISTRATION

This is an administrative case against Mr. Antonio D. Paguia, manager of the defunct National
Land Settlement Administration (NLSA) who is charged with (1) misuse of funds and dishonesty,
(2) mismanagement, incompetence, and gross inefficiency, (3) abuse of power and authority, (4) illegal
disposition of public lands, (5) discrimination and favoritism, and (6) communistic tendencies and
terrorism. The charged were investigated by the Integrity Board which found them not substantiated,
except the following:

In connection with the first charge, which partly refers to the advance
account of P4,000 sent by the Manila branch of the former NLSA to its Koronadal
Valley Project, Cotabato, on January 26, 1950, for the payment of salaries
and wages of the employees in the latter office, it appears that of said advance
account, P710.65 covered disbursements for traveling expenses of personnel and
various sums totaling PI, 289. 35 covered refunds credited in the name of the
respondent. All these disbursements, which fully account for the cash advance of
P4,000, were passed in audit, although the respondent was not asked to account
for said cash advance immediately after his arrival in Manila from Koronadal in
March 1950 because there were certain receipts left with his confidential secretary
in Koronadal, which apparently caused the delay in the settlement of the cash
advance.

After a careful study of the case, the Board found that the respondent was rather inefficient
and lax in the administration of the NLSA affairs and that he was guilty of a technical violation of
the rules and regulations concerning the custody of government funds. However, considering that
he has been under suspension since November 30, 1950; that his position as general manager was
abolished because of the dissolution of the NLSA and as a result of the creation of the LASEDECO;
that the Government did not suffer any loss regarding the cash advance of P4,000; and that he has
been an invalid for a long time now, the Board recommends that he be considered as having resigned
effective as of November 30, 1950, the date of his suspension. I concur in the Board’s findings and
recommendation.

Wherefore, Mr. Antonio D. Paguia is hereby considered as having resigned as manager of the
defunct National Land Settlement Administration effective as of November 30, 1950.

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Done in the City of Manila, this 29th day of December, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-three, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the eighth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1953). Administrative Order No. 262: Considering as having resigned Mr. Antonio
D. Paguia as Manager of the defunct National Land Settlement Administration. Official Gazette of the
Republic of the Philippines, 50(1), 32-33.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 263
EXONERATING PROVINCIAL TREASURER PEDRO ELIZALDE OF CEBU

This is an administrative case against Provincial Treasurer Pedro Elizalde of Cebu who has been
charged by the Acting Auditor General with misuse of public funds and violation of the election law
specified below.

CHARGES 1 AND 2

That on November 18, 1953, respondent had an overdraft of P274,180.42 in the road and bridge
fund, thereby illegally using other funds such as trust funds, which overdraft rose to P432,786.14 on
November 30, 1953.

That he misused public funds in the amount of P165,892 which he had transferred from the
general fund to the road and bridge fund without the prior approval of the Secretary of Finance as
required by law and the regulations, said amount having been disbursed by him for public works by
November 18, 1953.

Defending himself from these charges, the respondent submitted a statement showing
that, contrary to the auditor’s allegation, there was an actual balance of P49,667.36 instead of
an overdraft of P274,180.42 in the road and bridge fund on November 18, 1953; and that on
November 30, 1953, the overdraft in said fund was P135,525.76 only and not P432,786.14 as
claimed by the auditor.

The difference between the auditor’s and respondent’s figures lies in the fact that the auditor
excluded from the list of income the sum of P165,892 representing various transfers from the general
fund to the road and bridge fund and failed to include the collection of P104,581.46, accruing to
the latter fund, made from November 19 to 30, 1953. Respondent contends that both sums should
have been included as income. Moreover, the auditor lists as actual disbursement the amount of
P60,000 for backpay amortization, when respondent’s statement shows only P691.26 debited
against the credit of P60,000 for backpay of Bureau of Public Works employees, thereby leaving
an undisbursed balance of P59,308.74. So that if the auditor should admit as creditable income
the amount of P165,892 from transfers, the collection of P104,581.46 and the non-disbursement
of P59,308.74, the auditor’s overdraft figure of P432,786.14 as of November 30, 1953, would be
reduced to P103,003.94.

It appears that the admissibility of the amount of P165,892 as income from transfers is
questioned on the sole ground that the supplemental budgets covering them (which had been sent to
the Department of Finance on various dates long before November 1953) have not yet been returned
approved by the Department. Respondent alleges that said supplemental budgets could and must be
considered as approved in view of Department Provincial Circular (unnumbered) dated December
15, 1938, giving advance approval to “transfers from the provincial general fund, authorized by the
provincial board and concurred in by the provincial treasurer.”

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Said provincial circular has not been repealed or in anyway modified, and the requirement therein
that transfers made thereunder should be reported to the Department is, according to the Secretary of
Finance, met with the sending to the Department of the supplemental budgets which, in this instance,
have been found to be in order. Furthermore, Executive Order No. 405, series of 1951, enjoins that:

“In reviewing the budgets of local governments, the Department of Finance
shall be guided by the principle that the local governments should be given a large
degree of freedom and wide latitude of discretion in determining for themselves
the propriety and wisdom of the expenses that they make and provided the
expenses contemplated are within their financial capacity, the recommendation on
the matter of the provincial board, municipal board, or city council concerned
shall be given due weight by the Department of Finance.”

With reference to the collection actually made during the period from November 19 to 30, 1953,
which was not taken into account in the Auditor’s determination of actual income in the road and
bridge fund up to November 30, 1953, there seems to be no valid justification for the non-inclusion
thereof as income, the same having been actually realized. As to the amount of P6 0,000 which,
according to the auditor, should be considered as disbursement, respondent avers, as above stated, that
only P691.26 thereof was actually disbursed, thereby leaving undisbursed P59,308.74 on November 18,
1953. The auditor’s allegation that the sum of P60,000 was disbursed in September 1953 is not
confirmed by respondent’s trial balance for that month nor in any other statement of accounts of his.

From the above, it will be seen that if the three excepted items, the nature of which has just been
discussed, be duly considered, the resulting overdraft in the road and bridge fund as of November 30,
1953, would be reduced from the auditor’s figure of P432,786.14 to P103,003.94, which is well within
the 50 per cent allowable by law, the uncollected income of said fund on said date being P629,224.85,
according to the Auditor’s own figure.

In the absence, as in this case, of a definite indication of the item or items of trust funds used, I am
inclined to agree with the Secretary of Finance that non-trust funds were used in the incurring of the
overdraft, like balances in the various provincial funds. The use of some provincial funds to meet calls
on other provincial funds is allowed by section 2122 of the Administrative Code.

For the foregoing, I find no fault in respondent’s incurring of an overdraft of P103,003.94 in the
road and bridge fund nor in the transfer of the amount of P165,892.

CHARGE 3

That respondent also misused the amount of P90,750 representing proceeds from the sale of a
provincial government lot to Tirso Uytengsu, by taking it up in his accounts as income of the general
fund, when it should have been credited first to suspense account, the deed of sale not having been
favorably recommended by the National Planning Commission nor approved by the President of the
Philippines as required by law.

Respondent’s explanation of this charge is satisfactory, it appearing that the entry was made not
by the respondent but by his bookkeeper; that similar entries concerning other sales of fixed assets of
the province were passed in audit and never questioned; and that in any event this is a mere error in
classification of accounts which is not unusual to happen and which can be easily adjusted.

Even if a portion of the P90,000 had been transferred — because on November 18, 1953, there
was an actual balance of P69,590.91 in the provincial general fund — the said portion of P21,159.09

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could be restored without difficulty, as Cebu is admittedly solvent for a much bigger amount in the
remote event that the sale to Uytengsu be finally disauthorized.

CHARGE 4

That Treasurer Elizalde is co-responsible for violation of section 49 of the Revised Election Code
for authorizing payment to public works laborers employed for electioneering purposes.

This charge is without merit. Nowhere does it appear that respondent made or offered to make
an expenditure, or caused an expenditure to be made or offered to any person, “to induce one either
to vote or withhold his vote, or to vote for or against any candidate” as provided in section 49 of
the Revised Election Code. There is not even an insinuation that he knew that the employment of
laborers whose wages he ordered paid was premised on the understanding that they should vote or
withhold their vote, or should vote for or against any candidate, if such were the facts of the case.
If any induction had actually taken place, it must have been on the occasion of the employment of
those laborers but not at the time of the payment of their wages. Moreover, it appears that he paid the
payrolls presented to his municipal treasurers and paymasters duly certified to and approved by the
district engineer. In making payment, he was practically doing a mere ministerial act which he could
not have avoided without unduly prejudicing the laborers.

Some emphasis seems to have been laid on respondent’s telegram dated November 11, 1953,
to his treasurers directing them to continue paying the laborers for services actually rendered until
the cash advances given to them for the purpose were exhausted and to disregard any suggestion
not coming from his office regarding payment of laborers. Respondent’s instruction was interpreted
to be in utter disregard of previous orders issued by the auditor general. In the first place, it should
be noted that the telegram was sent one day after the election. Moreover, it appears that respondent
was of the impression that the telegraphic order given on November 9, 1953, to the division auditor
to instruct municipal treasurers to withhold payment of provincial laborers, etc., had been verbally
countermanded by the acting auditor general, agreeably to what he had heard in the telephone
conversation between the acting auditor general and the provincial governor, which respondent took to
be sufficient justification for him to reiterate his previous orders to his municipal treasurers.

In view of all the foregoing, and upon the recommendation of the Secretary of Finance, Mr. Pedro
Elizalde is hereby exonerated of the charges.

Done in the City of Manila, this 29th day of December, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-three, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the eighth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1953). Administrative Order No. 263: Exonerating Provincial Treasurer Pedro
Elizalde of Cebu. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 50(1), 33-36.

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MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 264
TRANSFERRING FOREIGN AFFAIRS OFFICER JOSE Q. TABORA

This is an administrative case against Mr. Jose Q. Tabora, foreign affairs officer, Class IV, vice-
consul and acting cashier, property and disbursing officer in the Philippine Consulate General in
San Francisco, California, for gross negligence in the discharge of his duties as an accountable officer
which resulted in a discrepancy in his accounts in the amount of $1,189.31.

It appears that on July 27, 1953, Auditor General Manuel Agregado made an examination of the
cash and accounts of the Philippine Consulate in San Francisco and discovered a discrepancy in the
cash accounts of Mr. Tabora in the total amount of $1,189.31. The matter was forthwith investigated
by the Department of Foreign Affairs. According to the respondent, the shortage could have been due
to any of the following causes: (a) pressure of work as vice-consul and acting cashier, property and
disbursing officer which prevented him from devoting attention normally required by the latter position
and from examining carefully every receipt issued in his name by an assistant; (b) the combination
of the office safe is known to four other persons besides himself; (c) the robberies that plagued the
consulate during June and July 1953; (d) he might have lost an envelope containing the amount of the
shortage while on his way from the office to the bank where consular funds are deposited; (e) some
deposit slips of the consulate might have been credited to other accounts as what happened in the case
of his predecessors; and (f) he was not positive that he closed and locked his safe every time he left the
office. However, respondent assumed full responsibility for the shortage, as he did not believe anyone
in the consulate could have taken the money.

Respondent’s explanation is not satisfactory, revealing as it does utter lack of due diligence in the
discharge of his duties as shown by the fact that he could not even be sure that he locked his safe every
time he left the office. I am, however, satisfied that, as found by the investigating committee, there is
no evidence of bad faith, dishonesty or misconduct on his part, it appearing that he even invited the
attention of the Auditor General to a much bigger amount than what was originally discovered by the
latter.

As no hearing as provided in sections 1(b) and 2(b), Part B, Title IV of Republic Act No. 708
has been made and the inquiry conducted by the investigating committee was merely fact-finding; as
no material damage has been caused by Mr. Tabora to the Government, the shortage having been
promptly made good; and as he has a clean record all along, in addition to the mitigating circumstances
above adverted to, it is believed that he should be merely transferred.

Wherefore, Mr. Jose Q. Tabora shall be transferred to another suitable position, with a reprimand
and warning that repetition of similar irregularities will be dealt with more severely.

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Done in the City of Manila, this 29th day of December, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-three, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the eighth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1953). Administrative Order No. 264: Transferring Foreign Affairs Officer Jose Q.
Tabora. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 49(12), 5315-5316.

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MESSAGES OF THE PRESIDENT

QUIRINO | Volume 5

MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 265

REMOVING COLONEL JUAN A. BENITEZ FROM OFFICE AS CHAIRMAN OF THE

PHILIPPINE VETERANS BOARD

This is an administrative case against Colonel Juan A. Benitez, chairman of the Philippine
Veterans Board (PVB), for alleged irregularities involving graft and maladministration. The charges
were investigated by an administrative board appointed by the Secretary of National Defense which
found respondent guilty of causing the delivery to his wife of treasury warrants issued by the Board
in favor of pensioners residing in San Carlos and neighboring towns of Pangasinan; of tolerating
her to make delivery thereof to these pensioners (charges Nos. 3 and 6), and of failing to exercise
proper supervision of PVB affairs, thus resulting in the commission by his subordinates of widespread
anomalies and irregularities in the preparation and disposition of pension checks (charge No. 5).
Respondent was cleared of the other charges.

Under charges Nos. 3 and 6, the evidence shows that Mrs. Cipriana S. Benitez, respondent’s wife,
deducted certain amounts from the pension checks of some residents of San Carlos, Pangasinan, which
she delivered to them and helped convert into cash. Denying the imputation, Mrs. Benitez claimed that
the amounts in question were given to her by the pensioners involved in payment of their debts. She
also claimed that they testified against her because their minds had been poisoned by the occupation
chief of police of San Carlos that she was responsible for the stoppage of their pension.

Mrs. Benitez having, as she claimed, played the role of benefactor to these people — lending them
money, giving them rice, and extending other forms of help — I do not think that they, being simple
folks of the province, would testify falsely against their benefactor and impute to her no less than
extortion, unless they were prompted by a civic consciousness to speak the truth. I am, therefore,
inclined to believe the version of the Government.

The next inquiry is whether Mrs. Benitez got or received those checks from her husband.
Respondent admitted bringing pension checks to San Carlos but denied handing over any to his wife
for delivery to the pensioners concerned. If respondent could, as will presently be shown, trust a mere
clerk of his to deliver checks to pensioners, it is easy to believe that he allowed his own wife to do
so. At any rate, there is nothing intrinsically wrong with her delivering the checks if done in the right
spirit of service. What is objectionable is the making of “cuts” for doing so. It has not been established,
however, that respondent knew what his wife was doing with those checks.

Under charge No. 5, it appears that in the PVB clerks, messengers, and other minor employees
could get pension checks from the warrant delivery section for delivery to the payees provided they
were known to the chief thereof, although the standing regulation provides for delivery by mail; that
the messenger of the respondent was authorized by the latter to get checks from the delivery section
and to deliver them to the pensioners calling daily at respondent’s office; that, as admitted by the
respondent, whenever he wanted checks to be delivered to some parties or to San Carlos pensioners,

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all he did was to verbally instruct his clerk or anyone to get them for him; that there was no record
to show delivery of pension checks to the claimants nor of those returned to the delivery section, if
undelivered; that as a result many checks got lost, were mislaid or were stolen and fraudulently cashed
by some employees, to the prejudice of the Government and the pensioners affected, a case in point
being that of one Marcial Arciaga who has so far been convicted of fifty fraudulent encashments of
checks, not to mention others facing similar prosecution in court.

The question now is whether respondent may be held liable under the circumstances. The
tolerated practice of allowing personal delivery of pension checks, which was a departure from the
standing written order directing delivery of checks by mail, clearly called for a radical innovation in
the accounting thereof to localize responsibility and place the movement of checks effectively under
control — a matter which should not have escaped the notice of the respondent as highest authority of
the office, especially considering that he himself was well aware of, and participated in, that practice.
It should have occurred to him that a big number of checks placed in the hands of an employee was
a delicate matter in view of the temptation thus presented. Owing in large measure to respondents’s
failure in this respect, some irresponsible messengers were able to get hold of checks which they were
tempted to misappropriate. Although it does not appear that any loss of check happened between
him and his messenger, the pattern he had set was looked upon by his subordinates as a safe one to
follow.

The allegation that respondent merely followed the practice of his predecessors is untenable
because it was his duty to improve the service and protect public funds. Neither may he find relief in
the fact that loss of checks and fraudulent encashments also occurred during the administration of
his predecessors, it being his duty to prevent, or at least minimize, the recurrence thereof. His attempt
to improve the system of check disposal about a year after his assumption of office and after the
discovery of the irregularities was evidently a belated move and will not operate to absolve him from
responsibility that had already attached.

It was also disclosed in the course of the investigation that the Board met without any agenda or
any list of claimants whose papers were to be acted upon in the day’s session and approved claims in
batches, not individually. Hence, many claims are supposed to have been approved but there is no way
of ascertaining the veracity thereof. Such procedure of the Board is palpably irregular and anomalous
and respondent, as chairman thereof, is largely to blame.

From the foregoing, it is clear that respondent has been sadly remiss in the performance of his
duties and that his continuance in office will not be in the public interest.

Wherefore, and in accordance with the recommendation of the Secretary of National Defense,
Colonel Juan A. Benitez is hereby removed from office as chairman of the Philippine Veterans Board,
effective as of the date of his suspension by reason of this case, with prejudice to reinstatement in any
office having anything to do with veterans’ affairs.

393

MESSAGES OF THE PRESIDENT

QUIRINO | Volume 5

Done in the City of Manila, this 29th day of December, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-three, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the eighth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1953). Administrative Order No. 265: Removing Colonel Juan A. Benitez from office
as Chairman of the Philippine Veterans Board. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines,
50(1), 37-39.

394

OFFICIAL GAZETTE

QUIRINO| Volume 5

MALACANANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 266

DISMISSING MR. BENIGNO A. PIDLAOAN FROM THE SERVICE AS FOREIGN AFFAIRS
OFFICER, CLASS I, WITH PREJUDICE TO REINSTATEMENT AND REQUIRING HIM TO
REFUND ALL AMOUNTS DISALLOWED FROM HIS OFFICIAL ACCOUNTS

This is an administrative case against Mr. Benigno A. Pidlaoan, Foreign Affairs Officer, Class I,
formerly assigned as Consul General in San Francisco, California, for (1) unsatisfactory performance
of official duty on five counts, (2) misconduct on seven counts, and (3) malfeasance in office on three
counts. The charges were investigated by Minister Emilio Abello, and the respondent was given full
opportunity to defend himself. After the termination of the investigation, the record of the case was
submitted to the Board of the Foreign Service for consideration. Said Board finds the respondent guilty
of (1) unsatisfactory performance of official duty on four counts, of (2) misconduct on six counts, and
of (3) malfeasance in office on two counts, and recommends that he be dismissed from the service, with
prejudice to reinstatement; that he be required to refund immediately to the Department of Foreign
Affairs all amounts disallowed from his official accounts; and that the papers in connection with the
charge of malfeasance in office be referred to the Department of Justice for such criminal action as may
be warranted. The Secretary of Foreign Affairs concurs in said findings and recommendations.

The following facts have been established:

1. Unsatisfactory Performance of Official Duty

(a) That in the case of Mr. Juan Ruiz, laid-off employee of the Philippine Consulate General at
San Francisco, the respondent ordered the issuance by the Consulate of a check for $3,300 to cover
the expenses for the return transportation of Mr. Ruiz and family; and after establishing a credit
for the aforesaid amount with the Lerios Travel Agency, he ordered payment against said credit of
transportation expenses for Miss Betty Salindong, his sister-in-law, and for Attorneys Javier and
Almeda.

(b) That he personally promoted the organization of the National Association for the protection
and advancement of Filipinos in America, for the protection of gamblers, thereby giving encouragement
to gambling among the Filipinos in his consular district.

(c) That during the years 1951-1952, he made numerous trips out of San Francisco for purely
personal reasons totally unconnected with the proper and efficient discharge of his functions; and if
some of these trips had official color, they constituted a wasteful expenditure of public funds as most
of them were unnecessary and were in derogation of the authority and hurt the prestige of the consular
officer of the area visited.

( d ) That in violation of the law and of the rules and regulations of the General Auditing Office
and the Department of Foreign Affairs, he authorized payments and/or authorized expenditures in
excess of the appropriation for his office; and likewise the ordered and/or authorized payments out

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MESSAGES OF THE PRESIDENT

QUIRINO | Volume 5

of public funds for purely personal purposes, like telephone charges for calls made to, or collect calls
from, Mariba Aba, Hungarian ballerina, and for flowers wired to her.

2. Misconduct

(a) That being a married man, with evident misrepresentation of his civil status, with utter
disregard of the norms of conduct which should guide an officer in the Foreign Service, and with public
scandal, he had improper relations in 1952 with Marika Aba.

(b) That under the circumstances mentioned in the preceding item, he had intimate relations with
a married woman.

(c) That under the circumstances narrated in item 2(a), and taking advantage of his official
position, he behaved, in relation to one Ludmila Mihailova, in a manner unbecoming of a Consul
General.

(d) That in violation of Foreign Service regulations and in disregard of the norm of conduct which
should guide a foreign service officer, he borrowed money from Mr. and Mrs. Ernesto Reyes, Mr. and
Mrs. Clemente C. Morales, and Mr. and Mrs. Marcelo R. Galicia, and neglected to pay these loans on
due date or within a reasonable time thereafter.

(e) That he unreasonably delayed the payment to Mr. and Mrs. Ernesto Reyes of a loan of
$800, thereby causing them undue hardships and great mental anguish and compelling them to file a
complaint against them, with a writ attachment of his properties; and, in violation of the regulations
of the Foreign Service, he failed to report to the Department of Foreign Affairs the pendency of said
action against him.

(/) That he committed improper conduct in that he bought automobiles on credit and got
his friends to advance their prices, thereby risking the name of the Philippine Consul General in
San Francisco because failure on his part to make good his commitments in the transactions would
give him a bad credit rating and possibly involve him in a lawsuit.

3. Malfeasance in Office

(a) That after Mr. Dick Salindo, Administrator of the estate of Antonio Pasco, had deposited in
trust with the Philippine Consulate General a check, payable to the latter, for the sum of $4,445.35,
he ordered and permitted the encashment of this check and he appropriated the proceeds thereof to
his own personal use; and when upon his failure to pay the aforesaid proceeds to the rightful parties,
a complaint was filed against him with a writ of attachment of his properties, he failed, in violation
of the regulations of the Foreign Service, to report to the Department of Foreign Affairs regarding the
pendency of said action against him.

That in violation of the law and without prior approval of competent authority, he ordered the
cashier of the Philippine Consulate General at San Francisco to give him a cash advance of $2,000 on
March 2, 1953, and another of $4,000 on March 6, 1953.

I agree with the findings and recommendations of the Board of the Foreign Service, as concurred
in by the Secretary of Foreign Affairs. Wherefore, Mr. Benigno A. Pidlaoan is hereby dismissed from
the service as Foreign Affairs Officer, Class I, with prejudice to reinstatement, and required to refund
immediately to the Department of Foreign Affairs all amounts disallowed from his official account.

396

OFFICIAL GAZETTE

QUIRINO| Volume 5

Done in the City of Manila, this 29th day of December, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and fifty-three, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the eighth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Museum and Library

Quirino, E. (1953). Administrative Order No. 266: Dismissing Mr. Benigno A. Pidlaoan from the
service as Foreign Affairs Officer, Class I, with prejudice to reinstatement and requiring him to refund
all amounts disallowed from his official accounts. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines,
50(1), 39-41.

397

President Elpidio Quirino during the inauguration of Maria Cristina Hydroelectric Plant

at Iligan, Lanao on October 4, 1953.

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